Beverly McDonald

Beverly Jane Hargrove Martin McDonald was born on August 18, 1952 at Thomas Jefferson Hospital to the late Robert and Bessie Hargrove. She was the second of three children born to them. Beloved by parents and siblings alike, she maintained a good relationship with them throughout her life. She was the final caregiver for her Mother and her 'Daddykins.' Beverly excelled in her studies, attending Brandywine Jr. College and earning a BA degree from the prestigious Babson College in Wellesley, MA. After graduation, she worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Beverly loved her mother, and they enjoyed traveling to places like Cancun and the Bahamas. Both enjoyed shopping, and had a keen eye for 'diamonds in the rough.' Beverly was a member of St. Paul AME Church in Philadelphia, PA. In 1967, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. While working at the Inquirer, she became a member of Christ Baptist Church under the guidance of the late Rev. John Green, Sr. It was there that she met her love, Michael H. Martin. They were married in 1980, in Philadelphia, PA. To this union were born four children: Hope, Joshua, Justin, and Joy. Shortly after they were wed, Michael answered the call to minister to the people of Memphis, TN. He founded and served as Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Churn in Whitehaven. For over 20 years, Beverly served as First Lady to the good people of that fellowship. Pastor Martin went home to be with the Lord in the Spring of 2004. The Martin family experienced a grief that cannot be explained, and a peace from the Lord that can only be experienced. Beverly's dear friend Beverly Elam introduced her to the widower Pastor Walter W. McDonald, Sr. The two found love, and were married in 2006 in Memphis, TN. They made their home in Tallahassee, FL, where Pastor Walter founded Providence Baptist Church years earlier. Their home became a place of fellowship, and a vacation spot for their grandchildren. Beverly served as a missionary and first lady for sixteen years, until the Lord called Pastor McDonald home in the Fall of 2022. Beverly was known for trying out new recipes, and always striving to improve on the ones that she mastered. She won first place at the Mid South Fair for her Red Velvet Cake. She made many cakes for many people, so much so that her husband Michael called it "Bev's Free Cakes!" She passed this love of the kitchen to all four of her children. Beverly moved back to Memphis, TN in 2024 to be near most of her grandchildren. She enjoyed time with her friends, especially dear Mrs. Erlean Tyson. She traveled to see her family and loved ones in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. And she helped bake cakes once again with her daughter Hope. After a brief illness, the Lord called Beverly from this life in her sleep on the morning of September 25, 2025. Beverly leaves to cherish her memory: Four children: Hope E.(Mario)Walker of Memphis, TN, Joshua H.(Jessica)Martin, of Denver, CO, Justin C.(VaShaundra)Martin of Olive Branch, MS, and Joy-Katherine H. Martin of Memphis, TN.; one step son-in-law: Bernard E.(Sonya) Coston, Sr. of Tyrone, GA; a stepson: Walter W. McDonald, III of Tallahassee, FL; one honorary son: Robert Bethel of Memphis, TN, two honorary daughters: Shay A.(Hunter)Brown-Park of Olive Branch, MS and Olubukola(Abel)Odegbile of Tallahassee, FL; six grandchildren: Bernard E. Coston, Jr., Cadence G. Martin, Jude M. Walker, Autumn L. Martin, Maréa J. Walker, and Ezra J. Walker; two brothers: Robert F. Hargrove of Allentown, PA and Bradley W. Hargrove of Sharon Hill, PA; three sisters-in-law: Joyce Harris of Clinton,MI, Shirley (Harold) Evans-Bailey of Memphis, TN, and Shelia Walker of Macon, GA; three brothers-in-law: Phillip(Barbara)McDonald of Dover, DE, Fred A. McDonald of West Virginia, and Ronald McDonald of San Diego, CA; her dear cousins: Albert Morris of Memphis, TN, Hanifah Giles of Dallas, TX, Samtra(Leonard) Devard of Delaware, Patricia Hines of Somerdale, New Jersey and an innumerable host of loving cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends.