George Donnell Maynard, son of the late George W. Maynard and Lucille Bell Maynard was born November 9, 1956 in Reidsville, North Carolina. He passed to his Heavenly home on May 24, 2019 in Kernersville, North Carolina.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Elm Grove Baptist Church.  Family visitation will be held one half hour prior to the service and public viewing will be on Friday from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Don's early education was in the nurturing environment of Roosevelt Elementary School in Rockingham County. After graduating from Reidsville Senior High School, where he was a member of the basketball team, he matriculated at the Rockingham County Community College. Two years later, he received a gymnastics scholarship to Jacksonville State University, Anniston, Alabama.

At an early age, he professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined Elm Grove Baptist Church. He loved the Lord, serving in many Christian capacities. As a member of the Gospel Choir, he was a singer and played percussion musical instruments. He was one of the four founding members of The Chronicles, a performing gospel music group. One of the greatest highlights in his singing career, was competing in Nashville, TN. The group was awarded a recording contract.

From the time he was a child, Don proved that he was a unique individual blessed with a multitude of talent. His uniqueness attracted him to activities that involved creativity, originality, and independence. He was a creative self-taught artist and enjoyed drawing and painting works of art. In high school, a solo exhibition of his art works was displayed at Penn Rose Mall.

Don loved his family and friends, but enjoyed spending time alone. He demonstrated the true meaning of kindness, gentleness, and humbleness.

True to his passion, Don's entire career focused on gymnastics. He loved performing tumbling and acrobatic feats, competing in the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) Junior Olympics Trials, and the AAU Meet where he placed first. In 1980, he participated in the NCAA Division I Gymnastics Championships.

Don worked at Tumblebee's Ultimate Gym, Greensboro, NC as a Recreational Gymnastics Instructor for more than thirty years. He developed the Parkour Program, the High Level Boys' Gymnastics Program, and coordinated the gymnastics team. He was known as "Mr. D" by his students, friends, and gymnastics family.

A loved one that cleared the path for Don is his sister Lola Mae Maynard Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 21 years, Wanda Randolph Maynard; two sisters, Mattie Maynard Beckham of Alpharetta, GA and Mary L. Maynard of Greensboro, NC; nieces and nephews; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

McLaurin Funeral Home is serving the family.