Valerie J. (Mayo) McDonald

Valerie Jean Mayo was born on January 24, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to Daniel and Esther Mayo who preceded her in death.

Valerie attended Cleveland public schools, graduating from East Technical High school in 1959. Valerie loved dancing and singing and she attended the Cleveland School of the Arts for dance and vocal performance. After completing her education, Valerie worked as a teachers’ aide in several Cleveland elementary schools. Valerie retired　 from TRW serving as a union steward for many years. Not one to stay retired, Valerie became a nurses’ aide for several schools with her final assignment at Lutheran East High School.

Valerie was united in marriage to William H. McDonald on December 11, 1961. To this union one son was born, William K. McDonald. During their son’s formative years, Valerie was a devoted stay at home mom.

Valerie loved to praise the Lord. She was baptized at an early age at Original Harvest Missionary Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio under Pastor Chapman. She was a faithful member of East Mount Zion Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio for many years under Pastor A. Charles Bowie. She attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio until her health made her unable to attend church services. Prior to her homegoing, she returned to Original Harvest Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Michael Turner.

Valerie was preceded in death by her siblings, Pearl T. Mullins, George (Buster) C. Taylor and Boyce W. McClellan.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 8:48pm EST, Valerie took her last breath and exchanged her earthly body for a spiritual crown to reside with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ after a lengthy illness.

Valerie leaves to cherish her memory her son, William K. McDonald (Dormeil) of Nashville, TN; god-son, Anthony Q. Liggins (Leslie) of Glenwillow, OH; her grandchildren, Riane L. McDonald of Nashville, TN, Janelle C. McDonald of Cleveland, OH, Jordan C. McDonald of Cleveland, OH, Donovan D. Tarver (LeTara) of Elk Grove, CA, and her "special granddaughter" Camille S. Copeland of Oakwood Village, OH; her sisters Tillie L. Colter (Hiram) of Shaker Heights, OH, Rita Sherills of Twinsburg, OH, and Olga Taylor of Solon, OH; her devoted nieces and nephews; a host of other relatives and friends.

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