Rev. Dr. J. Donald McManus

James Donald McManus from Lancaster, SC died early Friday afternoon at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He was born in 1942 to the late James Hawley McManus and the late Willie Mae McManus from the Taxahaw community of Lancaster County. Donald was married to the late Judie Baskin McManus and is survived by their two sons, James Donald McManus, Jr. and William Lee Baskin McManus, from Charlotte, NC, and his four sisters: Matrell Taylor (Tommy), Margaret Henry (Glenn), Dorothy Boone, and Dianne McManus, all from Lancaster, SC.

Donald attended Flat Creek Schools for 11 years, and after graduating from Buford High School, he continued his education at Mars Hill College and Campbell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. From an early age, he always knew he wanted to become a minister. In preparation for his ministry, Donald received a degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and a doctorate degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

His ministry that lasted 62 years included serving as pastor at the following churches: Mount Croghan, in Chesterfield County; Mount Olive in Marshville, NC; Kelford Baptist Church in Kelford, NC; Lawtonville Baptist Church in Estill, SC; First Baptist Church in Kershaw, SC; Cornerstone Baptist Church in Camden, SC; Rodgers Park UCC in Kannapolis, NC, and Boger UCC in Concord, NC; Lake City Presbyterian Church in Lake City, SC; and First Presbyterian Church in Pageland, SC. In addition, he also helped support a church in Haiti, with the help of several churches where he ministered.

Donald also loved to travel, sometimes alone, but most often with his sons and sisters. Through numerous cruises, drives, and flights, he visited every continent, making friends worldwide, from England to Greece and Australia.

Donald authored two books, One Link in God’s Chain, a biography of Martha Franks, the longest-serving Baptist missionary to China, and Toodle-oo, Taxahaw, a collection of 101 tales and stories he knew and told over the years. He was also an avid reader and student of history, and he enjoyed teaching Bible courses at USC-Lancaster for several years.

The family will receive friends at Baker Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 9, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. A celebration of Donald’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 10, at 11:00 am, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 South Maple Street, Pageland, South Carolina, with burial to follow at Taxahaw Baptist Church Cemetery, located on Egad Lane in Kershaw, South Carolina.  

Donald has requested that any gifts or donations in his name be given to the Helping Hands Outreach Resource Center, 205 West Pigg Street, Pageland, SC 29728.