On August 2, 2026, Emily Carol Hubbard McDonald received her heavenly crown as a beloved mother of Israel, greeted by her eternal love, her sons Brent Rich and Stephan Jr., as well as many others she lost early.

Carol was born on June 10, 1937, to Edith and Wesley Hubbard. She spent her childhood growing up with her three brothers, Deon, Verl, and Craig, on the family farm in Grace, Idaho. She was blessed with a very loving family who enjoyed their time together.

She was an active, adventurous child, a trait that continued throughout her whole life. As an adult, she often wondered how she had made it out alive. A daddy's girl at heart, she was always a bit of a tomboy, up for whatever crazy thing someone had dreamed up. As a young teen, she even taught herself to drive a jeep with the help of a friend.

Carol was a talented writer and involved in every school activity or club she could join, as well as 4-H. She was known to her friends as outgoing, creative, friendly, and fun- more traits that continued into adulthood.

After graduation, Carol attended USU, majoring in Home Economics and Child Development. She also attended LDS Business College, but office life wasn't active enough for her, so she got a job as a seamstress. That talent helped provide for the family she loved.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and valiant in the gospel, Carol served in multiple callings throughout her life. She particularly loved Young Women's and, as a young adult in 1961, served a worthy mission to the Southern States, forming many lasting friendships with the people there. At the end of her mission, she and her two companions took her Volkswagen cross-country to New York, visiting church sites on their roundabout way home.

Mom had an unwavering testimony of the Savior that pulled her through many hard times in her life. A testimony she loved to share with all she knew and loved, as well as a testimony she lived through her daily actions.

On a blind date on New Year's Eve in 1963, she met the love of her life, Stephan Rich McDonald. That night sparked a love affair that would continue through the test of time on this earth until his death in 2025. They were engaged on Valentine's Day and married in the Logan LDS Temple on June 28, 1963.

Mom loved to travel, sing, be with all of the family babies (no matter how old), be with Dad, and genuinely loved the people she called friends.

Mourning Carol’s loss is her brother, Craig, her beloved daughter, Leslie (Troy Graves), Leslie’s children- Brad Bennion (Mindy ), Aleesha (Kaleb Howell), Troy (Lillie), Sarah (Andrew Daley), Izabella (Dylan Watterson), Sam (Tate Johnson), Dyanna Graves, Sopheea (Kayden Cummings), Brent’s daughter, Lacie (Chase Hansen) 18 greatgrandchildren, and two more on the way.

To celebrate the life of our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, a visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6th at Red Rose Funeral Home, 56 S. State Street, Preston,  from 9 AM to 9:45 AM. Funeral Services will follow at 10 AM also at the funeral home. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the services is available below.  A private family graveside service and celebration of life will follow in Grace at noon. 

Our family would like to thank those who provided tender loving care in Mom’s last days-the nurses at Franklin County Medical Center, the team at Heritage Home, and the hospice workers who were so compassionate. We’d also like to thank Mom’s neighbors and the attentive members of her ward, as well as all the family and friends who have reached out to support us at this difficult time.

To share a favorite memory of Carol, or to offer condolences to the family, please leave a tribute on this page.