Archie R. McDonnell

Services for one of Meridian's leading citizens, banker and philanthropist Archie R. McDonnell, 86, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at Central United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Tommy Gilbert and Jim Wall officiating. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home on Monday, November 1, 2010 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Archie McDonnell, who served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Citizens National Bank of Meridian for 40 years, died in Meridian on October 29. He was born July 21, 1924 in Okolona, Mississippi to Archibald and Velma McDonnell, and graduated from Okolona High School in 1942.
Shortly after enrolling at Mississippi State University, World War II intervened in his education and he entered the US Army and underwent basic training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. After serving 3 years in the Glider Division of the Army Airborne Unit, he returned from France in 1946 and entered the University of Mississippi.
While at Ole Miss, Archie was a member of the SAE Fraternity. After graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Archie made his most important lifetime decision and married Frances Louise Melton, with whom he shared a full and happy marriage for 61 years.
After a brief experiment as a management trainee for the power company and learning to dig holes for power poles by hand, Archie realized he would be happier with a career in banking – a decision that led to a lifetime of success. He began as a bank examiner with the FDIC, and in 1955, at the age of 30, McDonnell became President of the Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Louisville, MS.
In 1960 Archie McDonnell was chosen as the youngest President in the history of the Citizens National Bank of Meridian at the age of 35. When he joined the Meridian bank in 1960, it had assets of $11 million and one branch. Over the next 40 years, he led CNB to become a $500 million institution with 23 locations across Mississippi employing over 250 people.
Archie McDonnell led the bank's construction of a 5 story headquarters in downtown Meridian. He believed in his community, and insisted that the bank remain downtown. He said, "Quite a few people thought we were foolish, but we knew that the heart of Meridian was downtown and we already had the best location we could imagine."
In 1965, he foresaw the future of banking and moved CNB into the computer age by installing one of the first mainframe systems in Meridian. Navigating the bank through vast industry and regulatory changes during his tenure, including numerous mergers of community banks into mega-banks, Archie McDonnell prevailed against the merger mania and kept CNB an independent community bank with local people serving local customers. In 1972 he was appointed to the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New Orleans and was active throughout his career in the American and the Mississippi Bankers Associations.
Archie McDonnell realized the vital importance of the public education system and served on the Meridian School Board for 10 years, including a term as President. In 1964 he was an original founder of the Phil Hardin Foundation of Mississippi, dedicated to improving education in Mississippi. He managed the foundation's portfolio as it grew from $8 million to $50 million at the time of his retirement as Director Emeritus. The Phil Hardin Foundation recently honored his 44 years of service by establishing the Archie McDonnell Teacher Corps Fellows Endowment at the University of Mississippi.
In addition to his involvement in education, Archie McDonnell was a long time supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, having become an Eagle Scout in his youth. In 1969, the Choctaw Area Council of the BSA honored him with the Silver Beaver Award for many years of service. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Meridian. He and his family have attended Central United Methodist Church for 50 years, and he served on numerous committees including the Administrative Board.
Banking was both a career and avocation for Archie McDonnell, but after retiring in 2000 he and Frances had time to pursue their passion for travel. They visited many countries over the years, although France was their favorite. They returned to Paris every spring and fall, developing many friendships although neither spoke the language. Monthly trips to New Orleans in search of the best restaurants filled the time between journeys to Europe. On weekends when they were not traveling, Archie and Frances would often spend Saturday visiting his soybean farm near his childhood home.
Archie is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Frances Melton McDonnell, two children, Catherine M. Hall and her husband Maurice, Archie R. McDonnell, Jr. and his wife Mary, daughter in law, Vicky R. McDonnell, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son John Melton McDonnell, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Archibald McDonnell, his sister Frances (Dook) M. Worthen and husband George.
Pallbearers are Fred Poitevent, David Hall, Ben Laurenzi, Reeder McDonnell, Alan Clodfelter, Jim Wadlington, and Rusty Schlicht. Honorary pallbearers are the Board of Directors of the Citizens National Bank.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, Aldersgate Retirement Community, or Wesley House Community Center.