Jo Alice McDonald of Jonesboro departed this life July 22, 2022. She is the spouse of the late Thomas N. McDonald. Mrs. McDonald was born Jo Alice McGuire on March 19, 1935 in Armorel, Arkansas to the late Eugene and Vivian McGuire. She lived her formative years in the rural part of Blytheville, Arkansas.

Mrs. McDonald is a 1953 graduate of Blytheville High School and a 1957 graduate of the University of Arkansas. She moved to Jonesboro in the fall of 1957 to pursue a career as a Home Economist. She met Thomas McDonald in January of 1958 and the two were married in July of 1958. Mrs. McDonald became a mother to her first born in July of 1959 when Thomas Michael McDonald was born. A second child, Stephen Mark McDonald, was born in November of 1960, and the youngest, Margaret Alison McDonald was born in March of 1964.

Mrs. McDonald was a homemaker and co-owner of McDonald Photography in Jonesboro. Mr. McDonald and she were in the business of portrait photography for over 40 years and retired from the business in 2005. Among her many accomplishments, Mrs. McDonald was conferred the degree of Master of Photography in 1995 as a specialist in children's portraiture. Mr. McDonald and she were involved in teaching photographic seminars and schools most of their career. They traveled extensively across the United States, several countries in Western Europe and the Philippines.

Mrs. McDonald was an avid card player, had a passion for working crossword puzzles, music and more. She was a talented piano player where she played at times as part of her active membership at First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. McDonald is preceded in death by her husband Thomas McDonald, one son Thomas Michael McDonald, a daughter Margaret Alison McDonald, her parents Eugene and Vivian McGuire and her only brother Stephen McGuire. She is survived by her son Stephen Mark McDonald of Keller, Texas, and her grandchildren Mitchel Thomas McDonald of Littleton, Colorado, Meridith Elise McDonald of Dallas, Texas and Julian Celeste Lyden of Little Rock, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM in the atrium of Wesley Hall and the memorial will follow at 2:00 PM. The burial will be private.

Lasting memorials may be given to United Methodist Church, Arkansas State University Single Parent Scholarship, Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House or a charity of your choice.