The faithful servant, Mrs. Margaret Catherine McDonald, quietly passed this life in her sleep on Wednesday morning, September 3, 2014. The second of three children, she was born October 8, 1934, in Huntsville, Alabama to the late Willie Walter and Mattie Lanier Hereford. She remains the "apple of the eye" to her two siblings, Willie W. Herford, Jr. and Alfred L. Hereford, both of Huntsville, Alabama. Margaret Catherine completed her educational endeavors at Councill Training School and Councill High School. She later received Early Childhood Development Certification through the Madison-Jackson Child Development Program at Alabama A&M University, and she was employed as a toddler teacher at the Phillips C.M.E Church Center. In 1952, Margaret was joined in marriage to Mr. Ned McDonald who preceded her in death. To that union, five sons were born: Charles, Jerome, Michael, Wayne and Maurice. Like millions of African Americans, Ned and Margaret moved North during what is known as the "Great Migration Period." In their case, they moved to Buffalo-Erie County, New York, only a few miles away from both Niagara Falls and the Canadian Border. While Charles was the only child born in Huntsville the four other sons would be born in New York. In Buffalo, Margaret remained active in voter registration activities and, of course, in the raising of her family. Their house at 136 Monroe was the "kool-aid house" a gathering place for kids from all over the block to play and have safe and recreational fun. She attended Manpower Training at Bryant-Stratton in Buffalo, and also served on the local PTA's for P.S. #4, 6, 75 and Clinton Junior High School. During her time in Buffalo she was a devoted member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. L.T. Boyce, Pastor. In August, 1972, in an effort to escape the violence and give hers sons a fighting chance, Margaret returned with her sons to Huntsville, a story she chronicles in her first book "Crossing the Red Sea." Her Courage and love for God and her children earned her the nickname "Harriet Tubman." Margaret confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined what is now Phillips C.M.E. Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Lawrence L. Reddick, Jr. she was a faithful and devout Christian woman who used her gifts and talents participating in skits and plays and directing the children and youth ushers as she also served as an usher. She also faithfully served on Stewardess Board #2 at her church. Margaret's tasks in life were many. Having a zeal for writing, she authored two books and was a life insurance agent for Pilgrims Insurance Company for many years. She had a love for people and always made her tender voice heard and known to all. She served as the resident president of Councill Court and Drake Towers Housing Authority, an active community leader with the Community Action Agency, and in 2008 she was instrumental in registering over 2000 voters. Margaret Catherine McDonald was truly a community servant. She is survived by her five sons, Charles (Renee) McDonald of Nashville, TN, Jerome McDonald and fiancé (Tina Gilbert) of Memphis, TN, Michael (Phyllis) McDonald of Murfreesboro, TN, Wayne (Cynthia) McDonald of Huntsville, AL, and Maurice (Nikki) McDonald of Madison, AL; two loving brothers, Willie Walter Hereford, Jr., and Alfred Lee Herford, both of Huntsville, AL. Her grandchildren Jason (Tonya) Moore, Jarvis Moore, Shante McDonald, Raven McDonald, Miranda McDonald, Duane McDonald, Devon McDonald, Brooklyn McDonald; great grandchildren, Kennedy Moore, Madison More, and Kailey McDonald. One goddaughter, Lisa Williams of Buffalo, NY, three; three godsons, Ronnie (Tina) Rice of Houston, TX, Clayton Jordan of Madison, AL, and Richard Harris of Birmingham, AL. Two special daughters Darlene Carver McDonald of Nashville, TN and Brenda Dickinson McDonald of Atlanta, GA; many children from Councill Court and her walk with Christ; a host of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins, one sister In-law Charlie Mae Leamon of Buffalo NY. Funeral service for Ms. Margaret Catherine McDonald will be Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. at Phillips Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (200 Davis Circle - Huntsville, AL) with Pastor Keith E. Ellison officiating. Interment will be in Valhalla Memorial Gardens.