Former Mount Olive mayor honored with Cornerstone Award
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on February 2, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Ray McDonald, left of center, and Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen unveil McDonald's Cornerstone Award during the dedication ceremony Thursday morning at Cornerstone Commons.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
The newest addition to Cornerstone Commons recognizes Irvin Ray McDonald Sr. for his efforts to his community.
Ray McDonald Sr.'s name is in good company.
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce formally recognized the former mayor of Mount Olive Thursday, as chamber members unveiled McDonald's Cornerstone Award plaque in a ceremony at Cornerstone Commons.
McDonald received the lifetime service award at the chamber's annual banquet Jan. 25. A week later, members of the chamber, friends and family gathered on Center Street to see McDonald's name immortalized among previous recipients of the award.
Chamber President Charles Gaylor IV opened the proceedings by talking about the importance of recognizing influential figures in Wayne County.
"There is no more important thing that we do than to recognize the cornerstones of our community, at the cornerstone of our community," he said.
Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen characterized McDonald as someone who spoke for his town, while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture.
"Over the years, we've worked a lot on economic development, I think that was one of Mayor McDonald's passions, and one of mine, just creating jobs," Allen said. "One thing I can tell you is, while he always advocated for Mount Olive, he always cared about Wayne County. He always cared about Goldsboro. He always knew that if something was good for Goldsboro, it was good for Mount Olive and vice versa."
At the chamber banquet, McDonald told the audience that the Cornerstone Award was the most meaningful accolade he had ever received. He reiterated that on Thursday, telling the crowd that he would cherish the award forever.
"This award is probably the highlight of my life," he said. "This means more to me than any other award I've ever gotten."
After McDonald and Allen pulled up the cloth to unveil McDonald's plaque, McDonald spoke a bit more about how it felt to be recognized.
"I didn't know I was going to get it until they announced it that night," he said with a laugh. "We were getting ready to go to Florida, and my wife kept telling me that I needed to be at the banquet, but she wouldn't tell me why. I was fussing a bit, and so she told me I was getting an award. But I didn't know it was the Cornerstone until they called my name."
McDonald gestured to some of the other names emblazoned on stone plaques, from Hal Tanner Sr. to former Mayor Al King. He expressed wonder at being included alongside them.
"To have my name anywhere close to these people is indeed an honor. I've done a few things for this county, but nothing like these people," he said. "I knew every one of them, and these were the people I looked up to."