Sara “Sally” Kinney McDonald, 82, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Bethany House Inpatient Hospice surrounded by a few really special friends and her beloved daughterin- law, Nancy. She enjoyed a long life focused on family, friendships, sewing, crafting, and Jesus. She died on January 8, 2025, after a short illness.
Sally was born to Howard B. Kinney and Sara J. Kinney, lovingly referred to as “Gangy and Gran,” on May 29, 1942, in LaGrange, GA. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, AL, and Troy University in Troy, AL. She married Charles J. McDonald of Clayton, AL, sixty years ago, in 1964.
She leaves as her legacy, two children, namely Laura M. Beene (Eric) of Burke, VA, and Howard A. McDonald (Nancy) of Auburn, AL, as well as four grandchildren, namely Patrick Beene of Chestertown, MD, Michael Beene of Franklin, MA, Blair DeRuiter (Alex) of Auburn, AL, and Lauren Patterson, of New York City, NY.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Helen A. “Betsy” Kinney, and her parents Howard B. and Sara J. Kinney of Montgomery, AL.
Sally was a stay-athome mother, active support parent, and then a professional seamstress. She worked for some of the most sought-after interior designers in Auburn. For several years, she provided whole sororities at Auburn University with rush dresses and pledge class favors. No project was ever too big or too intricate for Sally! She was passionate about family, traditions, all kinds of crafting especially sewing, and the family dog, Floppy. She loved collecting thimbles and making her home lovely for all to enjoy.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2025, 2:00 pm, at the Founder’s Chapelat Auburn United Methodist Church, in downtown Auburn, AL. The family will host visitation starting at 1:00 pm. Rev. Cory Smith will officiate the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sally’s memory to Embrace Alabama Kids, formerly known as the Alabama Methodist Children’s Home, 923 S. Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, or www.embracealkids.org for online donations. The family would also like to thank Rev. Dr. Cory Smith and all of the loving and patient caregivers at Compassus in-home Hospice Care, Auburn Bethany House Inpatient Hospice, and especially those of Home Instead of Auburn.
