Betty Lankford McDonald

Betty Lankford McDonald died unexpectedly, but peacefully, on August 29, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord, NC. Betty was born on April 8, 1938 to Annie Pearl Atkins and Otis Gregory Lankford. She spent her childhood in Jasper, Alabama before moving with her family to Montgomery, where she met the love of her life, Harold Lawson McDonald. Upon graduating from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Betty briefly attended Judson College, but after a proposal of marriage from Harold, transferred to Howard College in Birmingham to be with him. Betty had a number of jobs throughout her life, one of which was the coveted director of countless weddings, but her true vocation was Christian service alongside Harold in his roles as pastor of First Baptist Church of Burnsville, NC and First Baptist Church of Albemarle, NC. She acted as co-Youth Director at First Baptist Burnsville, and taught many Sunday School classes at First Baptist Albemarle. As devoted as she was to her church, however, nothing in her life rivaled her love of and devotion to her family. Her 67-year marriage to Harold was a romance for the ages. Their devotion to each other grew stronger each year until Harold’s death separated them—but only physically—in 2024. Close behind her devotion to Harold was her adoration of her four children, her nine grandchildren, and her three great-grandchildren. Anyone who spoke with Betty for more than a few minutes would be treated to an anecdote of some recent happening (illustrated with photos) among her expansive and expanding brood. Preceding Betty in death were her daughter Lori McDonald Baysden, and her husband, the Reverend Harold McDonald. She is survived by her children Carole McDonald Lewis, and Al (Charleston, SC), Dr. Hal McDonald, and Nancy (Asheville, NC), Dr. Susan McDonald, and Lyn (Charleston, SC); her grandchildren A. D. Lewis IV, and Christie (Charleston, SC), Elizabeth Lewis (Charleston, SC), Hillary McDonald, and Nick (Leonardtown, MD), Dr. Lawson McDonald, and Julia (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Eleanor McDonald (Lyme, NH), Sydney Baysden Spivey, and Stephen (Raleigh, NC), Reilly Baysden (Raleigh, NC), Ashton Baysden, and Andrew (Raleigh, NC), and Harrison Baysden (Raleigh, NC); her great-grandchildren Miller Spivey (Raleigh, NC), West Spivey (Raleigh, NC), Elizabeth McDonald (Fort Lauderdale, FL); her brother Bob Lankford, and Margaret (Troy, AL); and her cousin Diana Ambrose (Black Mountain). A memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Albemarle, NC on Saturday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m. Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church, Albemarle.

Betty Lankford McDonald

April 8, 1938 - August 29, 2025