Ernest L. Mcdonald

Ernest L. McDonald, 80, of Albany, GA, passed away, Thursday July 16, 2015 at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville, FL. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday July 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Hall and Hall Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Floral Memory Gardens with Rev. Ernie Rogers officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hall and Hall Funeral Home. Ernest was born in Worth County on September 29, 1934 to the late Gilbert Samuel and Ruth Veasey McDonald. Ernest had resided in Albany most of his life. He worked in Wholesale Route Sales and was a partner in Dixie Sandwich Company. He loved to fish and hunt. Ernest was a well known race car driver in the area back in the 50’s, 60's and 70's. Most of the time he was referred to as Ernie McDonald. Several of the places that he raced at were the North Valdosta Speedway in Valdosta, Pavo Speedway in Pavo and also the Albany Speedway and even did some NASCAR driving. In 1973 he had won eight straight feature races, and a 0 bounty was placed on him and his car. In addition to his parents Ernest was preceded in death by a sister, Edna McDonald Gibbs, a brother, Robert McDonald, and a brother-in-law, Steve Gibbs. Ernest is survived by his partner, Margie Bryant; son, Randy McDonald of Oakfield, GA; daughters, Patty Standridge (Bennie) of Williston, FL, and Kay Stieber (Eddie) of Warner Robins, GA; grandchildren, Shonna Panarelli, Hope Sonnetag, Jason and Jeff Kirksey; brothers, Jack McDonald (Juanita) of Georgetown, GA, Andrew McDonald (Deborah) of Albany, GA, Vernon McDonald (Diane) of Albany, GA and Ricky McDonald of Leslie, GA; sister-in-law, Adoreen McDonald of Albany, GA; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. You may express your condolences to the family by visiting Hall and Hall Funeral Home’s web site at www.hallandhallfuneralhome.com.