Robert Earl McDonald

(March 9, 1935 – October 20, 2023)

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for Robert Earl McDonald, 88, of Mount Olive, who passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg.

Reverend Gary Roberts and Reverend David Brewer will officiate the services with interment to follow in the McDonald Cemetery in Collins. Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, and from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3202 Hwy 49, Collins, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Cody McDonald, Robert Barske, Justin Jackson, Shane Caves, David Landrum, and Jason Cannon. Honorary pallbearers will be Ethan Kelly and Christian Barske.

Mr. Robert Earl was born on March 9, 1935, in Covington County to Robert and Gladys McDonald. He lived the majority of his life in Covington County and served in the United States Navy for 8 years. Mr. Robert Earl loved the Lord, loved life, and enjoyed tending to his cattle, collecting rocks, and playing musical instruments. A loving husband, father, "Pawpaw", and friend, he will be sorely missed by his family and community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Gladys Sellers McDonald; mother and father-in-law; Clyde and Hazel Hall; and a sister, Jeanette Holmes.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Virginia Edith Hall McDonald of Mount Olive; children, Barbara Ellen M. Pettway (Jason) of Hickory, Mississippi, Norman Earl McDonald (Joyce) of Louin, Mississippi, and Thelma Lenice Landrum (Cecil) of Mount Olive; brother, Malcolm McDonald (Rose) of Petal, Mississippi; sisters, Ruth Hill of Collins, Jo Allen of French Settlement, Louisiana, Faye Tuggle of Collins and Ann McNair (Selma) of Gulfport, Mississippi; grandchildren, Misty Cannon (Jason), Robert Barske (Rebecca), Jeanna Kelly (Brad), Paula Chambers (Jeffery), Sandy Jackson (Justin), Cody McDonald (Jenny), David Landrum, and Candy Landrum; 17 great-grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; an expected great great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com.