Helen Jane McDonald

Helen Jane McDonald, age 78 of Calhoun, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at her residence. Helen Jane was born on September 22, 1937 in Rome, GA to the late Burl R. Stephens and Mollie B. Johnson Stephens. She was a graduate of Calhoun High School Class of 1955 and a graduate of the University of Georgia receiving her Bachelor of Science in education in 1959, and went on to receive her Masters of education in 1970. Helen Jane taught physical education in the Calhoun City School System, where she retired in 1991. She was a legendary athlete of her own and coached numerous sports. She was a member of Calhoun First Baptist Church, Elkettes Auxiliary, Retired Georgia Teachers Association and Calhoun-Gordon County Retired Teachers Association. She participated in the Relay for Life program, was past chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Lady’s Golf Tournament, member and past officer of the Calhoun-Gordon County Lady’s Golf Association, and was co-founder of the American Red Cross Swim Program in Gordon County. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Dee McDonald and her husband Carlos Ruiz. Additional family members include, aunt, Mary Stephens, Wade and Betty Stephens, Julie and Dan Pascu and Rosa Boyer, aunt, Mary Nell Stephens, Clair and Mike Bennett, Marion and Debbie Cargal, Wendell Hubbard, Sandra and Woodrow Harris, Paige and Keith Wright, Mike Hubbard, Charles and Charlene Johnson, Rich and Terry Hughes. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, November 14th at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Dr. John Barber, Speaker Jim Lay, Speaker Melanie Moore and Speaker Diane Smith officiating. Kenny Herron will have charge of the music. Interment will follow in Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers serving include Art Sutton, Terry Carter, Sam Thomas, Van Cargal, Kandice Bruno, Kaisha Blackman, Angie Stanley, Marva Allen, Brittni Reams and Leslie DePerro. Honorary escort are members of the Calhoun High School Class of 1955; Elkettes Auxillary, The Calhoun-Gordon County Ladies’s Golf Association, and the Calhoun-Gordon County Retired Teachers Association. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Thomas Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions in memory of Helen Jane McDonald be made to the American Cancer Society, Gordon County Animal Shelter, or First Baptist Church Faith Forward Building Fund. You may leave the McDonald family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com. Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Helen Jane McDonald of Calhoun.