Mary Alice Smith Donaldson

Mary Alice Smith Donaldson, age 87, passed away on 2/24/14 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, North MS. The Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, 2/26/14, at First Baptist Church, 104 Panola Ave., Batesville, MS, with Dr. Tommy Snyder officiating. Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends from Noon until service time, at the church on Wednesday. On March 17, 1926, Mary was born in Anderson, Missouri to the late Dora Susan and the late Grover Cleveland. She graduated in 1943 in Louisiana, as an eleventh grader. After graduation, Mary worked for South Central Bell for a brief time. While traveling to and from that job, she met her husband, Tom, as he drove the bus which transported her from the bus stop to the telephone company. After her days with SCBell, Mary went on to become the receptionist for the Shreveport Clinic. Some time later, the Donaldsons moved to Batesville, and she began working as an inspector for the Hosiery Mill. From there Mrs. Donaldson worked at various locations in the city. Many locals will remember Mrs. Donaldson as a manager for the Fashion Outlet dress shop, where she worked until the store closed in 1996. Mary was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Batesville and believed that a true, loving God had blessed her due to her beliefs and faith in Him. Her loved ones whom she leaves behind include her 2 daughters, Dee Donaldson White (Mitch) of Batesville, MS and Ruthie Donaldson West (Sid) of Fairview, TX; 3 loving grandchildren, Terry Donaldson, Christie Taylor (Josh) and Corbin Moore; one great grandchild, Sawyer Wade Taylor. Those family members whom have gone on to heaven before her, include her husband, Tom; 2 brothers, John Smith & Doyle Smith; one great grandchild, Nathaniel Donaldson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to any of the following: Baptist Hospice, Gideon International, or the Keenagers of the First Baptist Church.