Deborah Oliver Macdonald

Deborah “Debbie” Oliver MacDonald, age 72, entered into eternal rest surrounded by her family on August 24, 2023.  Debbie was a graduate of Appling County High School and Georgia Southern College earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Education Specialist Degree.  Debbie was born in Waynesboro, GA and spent her adult life there serving as a teacher at Waynesboro Primary School the majority of her career.  She was also a professor at Paine College and Augusta Technical College.
Debbie was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, and friend, but her biggest joy in life was being a Mother and Nana to her “girl gang” of 2 daughters, and 4 granddaughters.  She was a member of Green’s Cut Methodist Church, an avid tennis player, and loved spending time at her happy place – the beach.  Debbie leaves a legacy of her deep love and devotion to her family with large family gatherings hosted at her home each holiday.  She was preceded in death by her beloved sister and mother - Julie Oliver Pickle and Betty Hayes Oliver, and in-laws William J. and Geneva Hollingsworth MacDonald.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, John R. MacDonald; daughters Jamie Mallard (Brantley) of Waynesboro and Jill Davis (Clint) of Mooresville, NC; granddaughters Aubrey Mallard, Brylie Mallard, Tinsley Davis, and Emeryn Davis; her adored father Rev. Tom Oliver of Waynesboro; brother Rick Oliver (Connie) of Waycross; brother-in-law Lyn Pickle (Sonya) of Adel, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive friends at DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott funeral home in Waynesboro, GA for visitation Saturday, August 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.  The funeral celebrating her life will be at Waynesboro First Methodist Church on Sunday, August 27 at 2:00 PM with graveside immediately following at Magnolia Cemetery with Rev. Keith Cox, Rev. Jerry Sharpe, and her father, Rev. Tom Oliver, officiating.  Pallbearers will be her cousins and nephews Woody Hayes, Alan Williams, Cliff Oliver, Ross Pickle, Adam Crews, and Jake Robinson.

Memorials can be made to Green’s Cut Methodist Church c/o Children’s Program PO Box 264, Waynesboro, GA 30830 or the Julie Oliver Pickle Scholarship Fund c/o Leah Robinson 1233 Ross Rd, Lenox, GA 31637.