Rev. James Liston McDougald

Hartsville, S.C.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rev. James Liston McDougald, age 95. Rev. McDougald went to his Heavenly Home on October 31 while at his residence with his loving family by his side.

A Celebration of Life for Rev. McDougald will be held Monday at 11:00 at Norton Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Barbara Segars will officiate. A visitation will be held following the service.

-James graduated from high school and went into the military (Army) -Upon leaving the military, James went to college to become a pastor for years of his own church. He also was a guest pastor at different churches until retirement. -

James was introduced to Mary Kelly by her mother. After dating a short while, he & Mary decided to marry. James instantly became a father to five children. (It must have been true love to take on that responsibility!) Life together was great. -James worked for William Timberlake at the local Texaco Oil Co for 30 years until retirement age. - Upon retirement from Texaco, James went to work at the local YMCA where he stayed two years. While there, he enjoyed being with and talking with the children and young adults. -He left the YMCA to go to work for Pastor Bev Kennedy at West Hartsville Baptist Church. (He loved anything to do with church!). He worked there until he retired permanently. -

James loved spending time with family, friends, and grandchildren. He would teach all of them little cute songs, sayings, and the song “lick puppy lick” where he made music by hand on the table. All the kids loved it! -James loved to work in the yard and always had a garden, fruit trees, and beautiful flowers. He taught all of his step children how to plant and grow a garden as well as flowers and plants. He would take family and friends, really anyone that would go with him, into the yard and tell them about gardening and flowers. 

-Phyllis, Frankie, and Eddie remember on days off from school, James would take them to ride all day long in his big Texaco truck. He’s spend these days teaching them about his job (when they wanted to go). -James loved to throw horse shoes and was really good at it. -Most of all, James loved to talk to people (anybody who would listen) about Jesus, and to let them know how important it was to have a relationship with God. He loved Jesus!!!! -We would like James to be remembered for being a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend…as well as having loved Jesus. James will forever be in our hearts and we will sadly miss him. Though he is no longer with us in body, his spirit and his example remain in the family he loved, in the community he served, and in the faith that he sustained him. As reminds us in Timothy 4:7 “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ” Those words fit James perfectly. He has finished his race well and has now gone home to the lord he served so faithfully. May we honor his memory by living as he did…with love in our hearts, faith in our steps, and gratitude for each day we are given.

James is survived by his loving wife, Mary Kelly McDougald, Hartsville; two sons, Thomas "Frankie" Christmas, Sr., Hartsville and James Edward (Sherrie) Christmas, of Louisiana; two daughters, Linda (Frank) Greene, Rockhill, S.C. and Phyllis King, Hartsville; six grandchildren, Mary Beth Arthur, Charlotte, Lindsey Arthur, Hamlet, Elliott Christmas, Hartsville, Seth Dean, Hartsville, Michael Christmas, Hartsville and Brayden Christmas, Hartsville; two great grandchildren, Camber Ramsey and Waylon Quick.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Blanche Walters McDougald; one son, Tommy Blackwell; brothers, Lindsey, Daniel, Leonard, Leslie and Minor McDougald; sisters, Beatrice Johnson, Nina Curry and Shirley Grainger.

" A Life So Beautifully Lived, Should Be Beautifully Remembered."

Norton Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the McDougald family.