Mr. Cleo McDonald, age 88, of Cookeville went home to be with the Lord on Friday morning, August 14, 2020 at Signature Health Care in Cookeville. 

 Cleo was saved at the age of 72, and was a member of Stevens Street Baptist Church.  He served in the U.S. Army in the 96th Field Artillery and was in the Korean Conflict.  Mr. Cleo worked as a brick and stone mason.  He loved his four dogs.  He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. 

 He was born December 15, 1931 to his parents, the late Ezra and Myrah Belle Henry McDonald.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, Sylvia Diane McDonald; grandson, Josh Rice; five brothers, Troy, Hoy, Marchel, Ray and Dallas McDonald; mother of his children, Anna Ruth McDonald; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Ina Mae Hendrixson. 

 He leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted and loving wife, Paulette Hendrixson McDonald of Cookeville; four daughters, Shan (Jim) Ellis of Trenton, MI, Karen Olds of TN, Teresa Barrett of Grayton Beach, FL and GG (Paul) Davis of Athens, AL; two step-children, Jason Parsley of Panama City Beach, FL and Paula Yost of Atlanta, GA; 13 grandchildren, Cruz McDonald Ellis, Chris Rice, Kelly Olds, Dannielle Olds, Jessica Olds, Ericka Barrett, Jarred Barrett, Alec Yarbrough, Kaleb Goode, Abby Vinson, Hannah Goode, Rachel Yost and Justin Yost; several great-grandchildren; sister, Vera Goolsby of Cookeville. 

 Funeral service was held Monday, August 17, 2020 at the Stevens Street Baptist Church in Cookeville with Bro. Scott Parkison officiating. Burial followed in DeKalb Memorial Gardens with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and Military Honors were conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. 

 Pallbearers included Ken Goode, Wayne Hill, Jeff Jones, Bryan Jones, Alec Yarbrough, and Kaleb Goode.

 DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.

 Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)

Aug. 26, 2020