BETTY JO MCDONALD

1940-2021

Betty Jo McDonald was born on April 27, 1940, to Oliver and Helen Cromer Baker at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. She was the eldest of three. While attending A.J. Moore High School in Waco, Betty and her family relocated to Houston, where she graduated from Jack Yates Senior High School in 1958. She later attended Columbia School of Broadcasting to further develop her voice and speaking skills and took real estate classes at Houston Community College.

Betty fell in love with and married Jack Jerome McDonald in 1958. With four children born of this union, Betty knew she had found an exceptional man of great tenacity, business acumen and with a strong desire to not only provide well for his family, but also for others. His determination to provide for his family, led him to seek the assistance of Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson to become the first Black-owned telephone answering service in the south, McDonald’s Telephone Answering Service. Together, Betty and Jack entertained Cassius Clay, Jesse Jackson, Charlie Robinson and others in their home. At her husband’s death in 1971, Betty was forced to take control of their family business, caring for their children and home, and continuing his legacy, all while building a spectacular, highly respected one of her own. In 1992, she sold her business and enjoyed an early retirement.

Also known as “Mrs. Mc,” “BJ,” “Bay-O” and “Bet-Jo,” Betty had incredible taste, impeccable style and was extremely creative. She was captivatingly beautiful, elegant, graceful, generous, gentle, fun and genuine. She also loved decorating and bought new furniture in her home every two years and often purchased a new car to accompany that. She was incredibly guarded and protective of her children. Her commitment and the love for them was so profound that many found it remarkable that she had an even deeper capacity to love, support and care for others. There was no child that wasn’t a McDonald when she was around.

Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was a Methodist in Waco. After marrying, she became a Baptist and joined St John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.

She later joined Holman Street Baptist Church and finally settled at Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church.

Betty departed this life on Sun., Sept. 6, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents Oliver Baker and Helen Baker Jackson; her husband Jack Jerome McDonald, Sr.; her son Byron Gerard McDonald; her sister Mary Jean Davis; her brother, Oliver Jackson Baker; and her step-son and daughter-in-law Jack Jerome and Verlia McDonald.

She leaves to cherish her memories her three children: Pamela McDonald Strother (Edward), Alan Jerome McDonald (Janice) and Rhonda Inette McDonald; 11 grandchildren: Daphne Danielle, Ryane Lynsi, Ashley Simone, Bryce Gerard (Tierra), Devin Lacey, Kyle Alan, Sebastian Alan Gerard, Nigel Pierce Augustus, Divya Farren Gizelle, Jack Jerome and Joseph Allen; 11 great-grandchildren: Chloe, Chelsea, Chelby, Gage, Bryn, Corinne, Chance, Kayden, (one more on the way), Denise and Joseph; very special nieces: Cheryl, Vita, Eunica, Kimberly and Karen; beloved nephews: Donald (Tamara), Stephen and Alton Sr. (Erma); and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and close friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 18, at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3015 N. MacGregor Way. The ceremony will live streamed at goodhope.org and condolences may be shared at mccoyandharrison.com.