Celebrating the life of
Ruth Marion Greene McDonald
August 1, 1917—May 18, 2011
Hallowed Hills Campground Zanesville, Ohio Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Mac & Ruth
It was a love story from the beginning. They were married for nearly 70 years before Frank’s passing away in 2009. Ruth was an amazing support to Frank as a preacher in the Apostolic Pentecostal Ministry. She had a passion for people and desired for everyone to have eternal life.
The McDonalds at 328 Adams in 1962: Standing L—R: Nathan, Helen, Frank, Jr., Rachel, David. Seated: L—R: James, Rebekah, Mac, Ruth, Patricia, Esther. Seated on floor: John.
328 Adams -The Early Years We McDonalds lived at 328 Adams Street in Zanesville. Growing up as preacher’s kids, the main focus was God, the Bible and going to church. In addition to the love of God and salvation’s plan, Ruth and Mac supported each other to foster education. Mac would say, “I want all of you to go to college and get a degree, not to put your thumbs in your lapel, but to learn a trade in order to have the where-with-all to support your family. When you graduate, make sure you put God first, because He's the source of all your needs." Their desire was satisfied; all 10 received college degrees, some bachelors, some masters , and some doctoral degrees, “To God be the glory for the things he hath done.” Our mother stayed at home. She lived in that kitchen! Mornings began with a good breakfast, then we were off to school. We attended Madison Elementary School, Lash Junior High (which later became Hancock Junior High) and Zanesville High School. In elementary school, we walked home for lunch. We would enter the house and there she’d be wearing her little apron, busy preparing nice warm lunches like, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Then off to school again for the afternoon. When we got home, there she was...in the kitchen preparing dinner. We might have a chore or two , and mom often offered rewards for chores well done. For example she offered to make special donuts for keeping our bedrooms clean for a period of time. Completing homework was a must and so was going to midweek church services , e.g. Bible Class, Choir Practice, and Prayer & Worship Service. Many times we took our homework to church. On Saturday, we had devotions in the living room. We all would sit together and take turns reading verses of scriptures from passages they selected. Then Mac would pray with us and give a looooong lecture. We really had an urge to go play but, we had to wait for devotions to end. Actually, it was just for about 20 minutes, but to us, it was an eternity! Many things about mom fascinated us, one being how Ruth managed to get 12 people bathed and dressed on time for Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. with only one bathroom. That process began on Saturday night. If you ask any of Mac and Ruth’s children today, what they most appreciate about their parents, they will tell you “it’s the rich Godly heritage”. We are so blessed to have been born to these parents. Now that they are gone, it is our responsibility and privilege (as well as our children and our children’s children) to continue their legacy in the Kingdom of God. Please pray for our strength in the Lord.
Ruth Marion Greene-McDonald Obituary Ruth McDonald was born in New York, New York on August 1, 1917, the daughter of Thomas and Bertha Mae Greene. She lived in all five New York boroughs (Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx), before moving to 503 East Market Street in Xenia, Ohio where she was reared with her five siblings, Edna, Brinson, Helen, Thomas, and Robert; and two cousins Gladys and Mildred. Ruth graduated from East High School in Xenia, Ohio in 1935 as the valedictorian of her class. She completed Erma Lee’s Beauty School in Cleveland, Ohio 1936 and worked as a beautician at Winston Beauty Shop for nearly 5 years. She graduated from Meredith Business College in 1964. She married Frank McDonald on January 27, 1940, and to this union was born ten children. She was a stay-at-home/working mom. She worked out-of-the-home as bookkeeper for the Ohio District Council Nursing Home and was responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll. She devotedly served her husband and the saints as a faithful Pastor’s wife for nearly 60 years in Cambridge, OH; Cumberland, OH, Springfield, OH Maysville, KY; Owensboro, KY; and Zanesville, OH. Her husband's first pastoral charges were at AME Churches in Cambridge and Cumberland, OH. One day Ruth saw a revival announcement at Bethel Apostolic Church, pastored by District Elder William Young, with speaker Elder Karl Smith of Columbus. Both she and her husband attended the revival and she was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking with tongues. Six months later, her husband was born again of water and The Spirit and became the pastor of El Bethel Church in Springfield, Oh. Sister Ruth has been a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Zanesville for over 60 years where she served as Junior Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Director, pianist, and choir member (alto section). She held offices in the International Christian Education Association, Ohio District Council (ODC) Christian Women Auxiliary, ODC Sunday School Department, and the Southeast Region (Ohio Valley District). She was an avid supporter of Foreign Missions. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Edna Williams and Helen Fields; two brothers Brinson and Thomas Greene; her beloved husband, Frank McDonald; two daughters, Helen Cowherd (John) and Rachel McDonald. Surviving are a brother, Robert Greene (Sarah) of Louisville, KY; three daughters, Patricia of Cleveland, OH, Esther of Louisville, KY, and Rebekah (Jonathan) Lampley of Tallmadge, OH; five sons Frank (Linda) of Kenosha, WI, David (Tina), Nathan (Cassandra), James (Lisa), and John all of Zanesville; 18 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren;. Sister Ruth gave us two precious gifts: (1) She never complained - she had learned to be content (what a good example); and (2) She was a consummate encourager with prayers, private talks, calls, letters, cards, money, emails, and facebook. She will be truly missed. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:29-31. Lovingly submitted, The Family
Homegoing Celebration Processional
Bishop Paul A. Bowers, Diocesan
Congregational Hymn
When We All Get to Heaven
Master of Ceremonies
Evangelist Ann Story-Pratt
Invocation
Suffragan Bishop Roy Dawkins
Old Testament Scripture
Psalms 27:1-6
New Testament Scripture
Revelations 14:12-13
Instrumental
Total Praise
Auxiliary Leader Tributes Congregational Praise
Bless That Wonderful Name of Jesus
Clergy Remarks Congregational Worship
Great is your Mercy Towards Me
Family Reflections Daughter-in-law Tribute
To God Be The Glory
Grandchildren Expressions Congregational Song
Lord, I Just Want To Thank You!
Acknowledgements Obituary
Sister Mary Smith
Sermonic Solo
Sister Charlene Dawkins
Eulogy
Bishop Paul Bowers
Recessional
Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know
Interment
Zanesville Memorial Park
The 10 McDonald Children
The Grandchildren
The Great Grandchildren
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed thy hand hath provided, Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Pallbearers: Grandsons Flower Ladies: Ministers’ Wives Internment Zanesville Memorial Park Caliman Funeral Services
The McDonald family wishes to express sincere gratitude for the love and kindness shown during this time. Your presence here today means so much to us. Thank you.