The Wonderous Life of Dr. Reginald M. McDonough
August 16, 1936 – December 24, 2024
A man of humble roots, Dr. Reginald “Reggie” McDonough became one of the world’s top Southern Baptist leaders, traveling the globe teaching Christian church planters the importance of strategic planning in building and maintaining congregations for the Glory of the Lord. In recognition of his accomplishments, Reginald M. McDonough was honored as a noteworthy religious organization executive by Marquis Who’s Who.
Born to Gladys and J.C. McDonough, Aug 16,1936 in Mt. Vernon, Texas, Reggie attended Mt. Vernon High School where he was the starting offensive end, catching passes from NFL legend Don Meredith. There he was also awarded the Order of the Eagles by the Boy Scouts of America.
In 1956, Reggie was accepted into East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, where he met his first love, Betty “Joan” Bird. Reggie and Joan had two children, Michael Keith and Teri Royce McDonough. After graduating college, Reggie served as Minister of Music and Education for several churches in Louisiana and Texas before he was called by the Lord to join the Baptist Sunday School Board, now Lifeway Christian Resources, in Nashville, Tennessee where he became the Director of the Church Administration Department. He went on to receive a Doctorate of Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1967.
While at the Sunday School Board, Reggie authored several books offering practical guidance for the whole spectrum of ministry: enlistment, motivation, and introducing new ideas for establishing goals based on sound principals of interpersonal relationships and on varied church experience. His works included “Growing Ministers, Growing Churches”, “A Church on Mission”, “Working with Volunteer Leaders in the Church” and “Keys to Effective Motivation”.
Throughout his career at the Sunday School Board, Reggie donated his free time to the Baptist Foreign Mission Board, now the International Mission Board, working with Missionaries in the South Pacific, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, South America, and Africa. His greatest desire was to teach Pastors and Missionaries how to be good church administrators. He loved to tell stories of his worldly mission work and the people he met along the way. He has said that the Lord led him to understand how he could change lives and how his life would also be changed.
Between 1981 and 1986, Reggie served as the Executive Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee which is charged with administrative duty for the Southern Baptist Convention and is responsible for a number of programs provided by the SBC.
In 1987, Reggie became the Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, where he provided exemplary leadership, aggressively emphasizing missions support and church development. His accomplishments were acknowledged by the award of an honorary doctorate from the University of Richmond, the conferral of the Distinguished Alumnus Award by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the J. Wesley Smith Achievement Award by East Texas Baptist College.
During his time at the BGAV, Reggie was proud to have consulted with Jimmy Carter’s Carter Center think tank to find solutions to bring hope to the world.
After retiring in 2002, Reggie was named Executive Director Emeritus of the Virginia Baptist General Assembly, Honorary Member of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, honorary membership in the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and honored for his Distinguished Leadership by Lifeway Christian Resources.
Additionally, Reginald was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world.
In retirement, Reggie became Associate Pastor of Fairfield Glade First Baptist church where he coordinated and supervised the building of its modern Church building, a legacy that will stand for years to come as a memorial to his work, both locally and across the globe.
As important as his global Christian ministry was, equally important was his commitment to his family. He was always supportive and never judgmental through good times and bad, never having an ill word for anyone he met. Even in the last days of his life he remained a positive force and gained the favor of his friends and caregivers.
Among his favorite pass times were rooting for Tennessee Volunteers football, snow skiing, and golf. He was an avid instrument rated private pilot/instructor and when saying goodbye would often say, “Keep your speed up on final”, an idiom used by pilots to wish a successful landing.
The world needs more like Dr. Reginald Milton McDonough. He was one of the Lord’s fiercest warriors, was a beloved soul who touched many lives, and was cherished by all who knew him.
Reggie is survived by his two children, Michael McDonough and Teri McDonough Meister, three grandchildren, Ian McDonough, Michael and Matthew Meister, and two great-grandchildren, Ivy and Logan McDonough., and sisters Evelyn Cole and Myrna Wright. He will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1:00pm at Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church (address listed below).
The family ask that in lieu of flowers. donations be made to Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church, 130 Town Centre Dr., Crossville, TN 38571