Johnnie Ladd Donald Sr.

Published 12:01 am Thursday, June 18, 2015

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VIDALIA — Johnnie Ladd Donald Sr., 87, died March 20, 2015.

A celebration of life service was held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2015, at the Vidalia First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill McCullin and Dr. Ralph Webber officiating.

Burial followed at the Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home. Paul Ford played “Caring Hearts” on his guitar and sang “How Great Thou Art.”

Claire Shields closed with words of comfort and a prayer.

Mr. Donald was a resident of Vidalia since 1954.

Johnnie was born and reared in Preston, Kemper County, to James Matt Donald and Lizzie Viola Donald. He had 11 brothers and sisters — all are deceased.

He graduated high school on May 26, 1946, when he decided to leave home and go to Mobile, Ala., to work for International Paper Company where he had worked for the summer at the age of 17. He was accustomed to work because he had a number of chores to complete before catching the bus during his school years.

Johnnie was transferred to the IP company in Natchez within three years to work in the laboratory. He had this job for 49 years with the exception of the two years he served his country in the U.S. Army. During his armed service tenure, he was a rifle and map instructor where he told his recruits, “you can accomplish this and learn it if you can withstand the freezing snow here in Fort Dix, N.J.”

Johnnie was a special man who never ceased to amaze his family and his many friends, with his Christian influence and became a mentor to the youth at his church and public schools. One particular enjoyment was to haul band instruments to all out-of-town Vidalia High School games, helping in any way he could to assist band director, Tommy Latham, in all areas when needed. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed being active in the church choir and leading Training Union.

He enjoyed traveling all over the world with his church group and family. He was invited to go to snowy Colorado by George Guido one particular trip and later took his family and a number of his church family members to snow ski the slopes. He enjoyed camping.

Some years ago, Johnnie decided to open a recreation business. W.D. Ball offered him land to start, so he began selling seafood, fruits, vegetables and fireworks and bought eight recreational vehicles. Mr. Guido told him of some prime land for his business, which he named Donald’s Camper Village. He remained at his job at IP and with the help of his wife and his children, he continued working and developing his business and his dreams.

Johnnie will be dearly missed.

His family extends thanks to all of their friends for the encouragement and help throughout the years.