Mary Jane McDonald

Mary Jane Swearingen McDonald, age 68, of Little Rock, Ark. passed away Monday, November 7, 2016, due to complications from metastic breast cancer. Mary Jane was an inspiration to all her friends through the tenacity in which she endured her diagnosis. She always looked beautiful, had a smile on her face, and encouraged others with her unwavering faith and spirit. Mary Jane Swearingen McDonald was born on July 22, 1948, at St. Mary's Hospital in Russellville, Ark. to Gordon and Clarene Burnett Swearingen. Because her father was in the United States Air Force, she lived in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Massachusetts before returning to Arkansas as a young teen. Mary Jane graduated from Hall High School in 1966 and went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Science in Education with an Emphasis in Reading at Arkansas State Teacher's College. It was there that she met her husband, William Ross "Bill" McDonald. They married August 21, 1971, and remained married for nearly 35 years until his death in 2006. Mary Jane taught in the Little Rock School District for 39 years at Rightsell, Romine and Baseline Elementary. She was a 5th grade teacher for 14 years before transitioning into Title 1 Math and Reading Specialist. Mary Jane was an extremely dedicated employee-she would receive her chemotherapy on Friday afternoons and radiation early in the morning, so she never missed a day of school while undergoing treatment. Mary Jane's greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. Her daughters Beth McDonald Toland and Ann McDonald Polson were blessed to call her mom. Their children loved their "Mema", as she did them. Mary Jane joined Immanuel Baptist Church in September 1962 and remained a faithful, active member. Her faith sustained her throughout the difficult years brought on by her cancer diagnosis and the early death of her husband. Mary Jane exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman in all areas of her life. Mary Jane is preceded in death by her father, Gordon Swearingen and her husband Bill McDonald. She is survived by her mother Clarene Swearingen of Little Rock; daughters Beth McDonald Toland (Chad) and Ann McDonald Polson (Preston); and grandchildren, Matthew, Gracen and Lauren Toland and Luke and Will Polson all of Little Rock. She is also survived by her brother, David Swearingen of Martinsdale, Va. and her niece, Davi Swearingen Smith (Dennis) and their children Emma and John David of North Little Rock. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ark. Funeral service will be at Immanuel Baptist Church on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10 a.m. Graveside service will be immediately following for friends and family at Oakland Cemetery in Atkins, Ark. with Deacon Ed Hicks presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church. Mary Jane's family would like to thank Dr. Mariann Harrington and her wonderful nurses and staff who not only treated her cancer, but loved her as well. We would also like to thank the staff of Baptist Health, floor 10-A, for providing such compassionate care. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.