LAKE WATEREE – Dail Kaigler McDonald, a long-time resident of Lake Wateree, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Born in Columbia, SC on September 17, 1930, she was the daughter of Benjamin Haughabook Kaigler and Lillie Dail Arledge Kaigler. A 1947 graduate of Dreher High School, Dail worked as Administrative Assistant and personal secretary extraordinaire to Van T. Newman at Newman, Saylor, and Gregory Advertising / Public Relations for 30 years, where she was unofficially referred to as “Agency Mother”. She took particular pride and satisfaction in her role coordinating Columbia’s annual Carillon Christmas parades and Governor’s Carolighting ceremonies in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She enjoyed many creative hobbies including painting, waterfowl wood-carving, basket weaving, schnauzer grooming and cooking. After permanently moving to Lake Wateree in 1982, Dail was affiliated with The Chapel at Lake Wateree (Lake Wateree Presbyterian) and Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church. She was also personally involved in the promotion of many of the “river” community activities like the Lake Wateree Homeowners’ Association and Dutchman Creek Volunteer Fire Department and served as election precinct poll manager for many years.
Surviving and cherishing her memory are her husband, William S. (Bill) McDonald of Lake Wateree; sons Robert S. McDonald of Rock Hill SC, and Matthew P. McDonald of Lake Wateree; daughters Lynda Dail Dauphine of Homestead FL, Katy Ann Tuttle of Navarre FL, and Sandra Jane Denham of Fort Mill SC; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Jonathon Archibald Kaigler, and Charles Thomas Kaigler.
A graveside service will be held at a later date at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Birthright of Columbia, 1316 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201; or a charity of one’s choice.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.