Joyce McDonald

Joyce Gardner McDonald, cherished wife (and best friend), mother, grandmother, sister and resident of the Jane Bruce Guignard Skilled Nursing facility of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026 (the day before Easter, known as "Holy Saturday"), following a valiant, 10 year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Joyce was born January 21, 1947, the daughter of Lawrence Lawson and Annie Gaskins Gardner; she grew up in the small rural village of Bethune (Kershaw County), SC. Following graduation from Bethune High School, where she played basketball and was a cheerleader, Joyce moved to Columbia and finished Columbia Commercial College's two year Secretarial Courses in one year. Anxious to enter the "real world", Joyce began a varied, substantial career in business, serving relatively early in her career as secretary to Col. Robert Johnson, Commander of McEntire Air National Guard Base; and, as Administrative Assistant to a former mayor of Columbia, The Honorable Kirkman Finlay, Jr.

Joyce and her family relocated to Batesburg-Leesville, SC in December, 1977, following her husband Marion's opportunity to continue his banking career. For a number of years, Joyce commuted from Batesburg-Leesville to Columbia, sustaining her service to Mayor Finlay; in 1983 she was honored to be awarded "Secretary of the Year" by the Columbia Chapter of The National Association of Secretaries.

While living in Batesburg-Leesville, Joyce began her career as a life insurance agent and financial advisor; this endeavor lasted some 30 years. In 1987 Joyce served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in having Country Music legend Lee Greenwood ("God Bless The U.S.A.") perform for the town's renowned Annual Poultry Festival; and, along with members of the Chamber and Poultry Festival Officials, enjoyed an evening meal with Mr. Greenwood.

A majority of Joyce's career as a life insurance agent and financial advisor was spent in positions of management with New York Life Insurance and Principal Financial Group. During her time with Principal in the late 1990's and early 2000's, she traveled throughout the United States, serving as a "trouble shooter" for various offices. Such travel was severely curtailed, following the terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center on 09/11/2001; as a result, Joyce was "stranded" for a short period of time in Des Moines, Iowa, the location of Principal 's home office. Thankfully, she eventually returned safely home.

Meanwhile, Joyce managed to earn a B.S. Degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Insurance and Risk Management, from the University of SC (May, 1999); and, the prestigious Charted Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College of Financial Services (October, 1999) Lastly, in the mid 2000 's, Joyce served a term as President of the Columbia Chapter of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors).

Overall, Joyce was a spiritual, highly motivated lady, dedicating her love and support to her husband, daughter, granddaughter, sister and others.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 53 years, Marion; their daughter Angie Leidinger (Steven); their granddaughter Lawson; and, her younger sister Phyllis Benton.

The memorial service is planned for Tuesday, April 14th, at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road Extension, Columbia, SC 29223. Visitation will immediately follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heart of Hospice, 7 Technology Circle, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29203; or to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212.