Berry Donaldson, Sr

James Berrien “Berry” Donaldson, Sr.

James Berrien “Berry” Donaldson, Sr., of Metter, passed away on Sunday morning at Azalea Health and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Donaldson was born on March 21, 1934 in Metter and was a son of William Solomon Donaldson, Sr., and Ruby Lanier Donaldson. He was a member of the Metter First Baptist Church, where he was active in his Sunday School Class. Mr. Donaldson was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War. During his military service, he was stationed in Germany.

A lifelong farmer in Candler County, he also worked as an independent truck driver. Many of his family and friends knew him as a great historian of Union Community, possessing a deep knowledge of the area's history. His greatest joy was fishing. He enjoyed traveling to his house at Shellman Bluff to fish and fellowship with family and friends. He especially enjoyed sitting outside of his home with family and friends recounting stories of the past.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Donaldson was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Mavis Nail Donaldson, and his second wife, Marilyn Flewallen Mixon Donaldson.

Surviving are his sons, James Berrien Donaldson, Jr., and his wife, Deborah, of Metter, and Baxter Donaldson and his wife, Sally, of Lexington, South Carolina; his step-son, Richard Mixon and his wife, Ellen, of Birmingham, Alabama; his step-daughter, Wanda Mixon of Birmingham, Alabama; his brother, William Solomon Donaldson, Jr., and his wife, Claire, of Metter; two grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Metter First Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Osborne officiating assisted by Elder Craig Lanier.

The family will receive friends at the church from 1 until 2pm before the service on Wednesday.

Interment will follow in Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Metter First Baptist Church or Rosemary Primitive Church Cemetery Fund.

Guestbook: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter, is in charge of the arrangements.

Berry would want us to extend his & our heartfelt gratitude for the decades of friendship, assistance, support & loving care provided to him by his devoted brother William & his wife Claire especially after losing his eyesight.  In recent years his niece Jamie and her daughters Kaylen and Kara helped care for him as well and brought him immense joy.