A Life Story

Mrs. Hester Reed McDonald, age 87, of Savannah, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 after a short illness. Mrs. McDonald was born on January 15, 1939 in French Creek, West Virginia to the late Riley Russel Reed and the late H. Eleanor Talbott Reed. Hester was a 1957 graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, Buckhannon, WV. She went on to receive her associate’s degree in 1959 from Glenville State College, Glenville, West Virginia. She was married in 1968 and immediately moved to Savannah, GA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James Alexander McDonald (a lifelong forester by trade); her brother, Robert Randolph Reed, Sr., French Creek, WV; and her oldest nephew, Robert Randolph Reed, Jr, Elkview, WV. Survivors include her stepdaughter, Lynn McDonald Ashley, her husband, William Ashley; and her grandson, Brooks Alexander McDonald Quann, all of Savannah, GA. Three nephews, Rodger Russell Reed (Jeannie) of West Virginia, Richard Ross Reed (Pamela) of Louisiana, and Ronald Scott Reed (Carolyn) of Ohio; seven great nephews and niece; and ten great-great nephews and nieces. Hester was a life long United Methodist and a longtime member of Whitefield United Methodist Church until closing in 2017 then St. Luke UMC, Savannah, GA. For decades, she and her husband were very active members of Clan Donald and were pioneers in the instituting the Savannah Scottish Games; a Founding and Committee member. Their travels took them throughout the world in support and enjoyment with Clan Donald. Hester was an active member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Savannah, Savannah Area Genealogical Association, Coastal Scottish Heritage Society, and Descendants of the French Creek Pioneers. She retired in 2001 from the Chatham County-Live Oak Public Libraries system and then stayed in a supportive role for several more years, sort of a second retirement, with the Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation. She will also be remembered for her fondness of cats and being an avid photographer. A special thank you to the staff of The Social at Savannah, Savannah, GA and Georgia Hospice for all their wonderful support, knowledge, and care. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 2 pm at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406). Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 9114 Whitefield Avenue, Savannah, Georgia, 31406.