Julia Elwanda McDonald, 85, of Athens, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Rev. C.E. and Stella Wade McDonald, and was preceded in death by one daughter, Judy McDonald Knox, on May 1, 1987; and two sisters, Vancil Bankston and Freda Dockery. A member of North Athens Baptist Church, she was a former Sunday school teacher and an employee of Proffitt\'s Department Store for 24 years.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, the Rev. Cecil McDonald of Athens; one grandson and wife, Christopher and Mary Knox of Athens; three great-grandchildren, Jace Knox, Zayn Knox and Elle Knox, all of Athens; two sisters, Joyce McDonald of Athens, and Ruth Kile of Chattanooga; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Austin and Loraine McDonald of Sweetwater, the Rev. Wade and Sue McDonald of Etowah, Charles and Jean McDonald of Cleveland, and William and Dixie McDonald of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Dr. Bob Kerr and the Rev. Jimmy McCarter officiating. Burial will follow in Clearwater Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be deacons of North Athens Baptist Church: J.B. Wilson, Doyle Chambers, Jim Roberts, Doug Gentry, Greg Hayes and Jim Rogers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com