Sunny McDonald

CLARKESVILLE - Sunny Nivens McDonald died Saturday, February 27, 2010.

Born in Gainesville, she was a longtime resident of Commerce and the daughter of the late Noama Nivens Pugh and Paul Nivens. She graduated from Gainesville High School, where she was a Red Elephant Cheerleader and Majorette. She received a BA in Elementary Education from Brenau College. While at Brenau, she was on the May Court and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. Sunny was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an educational sorority.

A much-loved elementary school teacher, Sunny taught for two years in the Buford City School System and for 28 years in the Commerce City School System. She was a scout leader and worked with the Commerce Downtown Development Authority. Sunny was the “hostess with the mostess” – entertaining for years in her home – brides-to-be, mothers-to-be, governors, representatives and senators (both state and local). Industrial prospects for Jackson County were always welcomed and entertained in her home.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville and The Orchard Golf and Country Club. But she was especially, a loving wife, mother and grandmother. “I love you, Mom” was always Lauren’s parting message to Sunny.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald; a son and daughter-in-law, Lauren Wylie McDonald III and Claire McDonald; grandsons, Wylie and Ridley; granddaughter, Hailey; stepfather, William Pugh; sisters, Paula Nivens ( Buzzie) Hardy, Commerce, and Candy Nivens (Herschel) O’Kelley, Rockmont; brother, Ronald Paul Nivens, Atlanta; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, at the Cumming First United Methodist Church. The Gainesville Girls will serve as pallbearers. Private interment will be at a later date. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at her home in The Orchard (Clarkesville) and on Thursday, March 4, from 1 to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sunny’s memory to Commerce Presbyterian Church, Mortgage Reduction, P.O. Box 177, Commerce, GA 30529, First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville, Building Fund, 181 Jefferson Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523 or Cumming First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. 606, Cumming, GA 30028.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 770-886-9899 is in charge of arrangements.