Mrs. Monette McDonald's Obituary
Monette McDonald, nee Wilson, “Moe”was born on the 4th of July, 1925 in Wallins Creek, Kentucky, Harlan County to Reverend William and Eva Wilson. She is the 4th of 8 children born to them. She went home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2015, from complications of longstanding diabetes. She graduated from high school in Middlesboro, Kentucky, and was named valedictorian of her class of 1943. However, unable to buy the school sweater, the award went to another student. In August, 1945, she worked in the Manhattan District at the Tennessee Eastman Corporation and received an honorary certificate of appreciation from the Secretary of War, Army Services Forces—Corps of Engineers, “for essential work to the production of the Atomic Bomb, thereby contributing to the successful conclusion of WWII.” In her late 80’s, her long-time nurse at home affectionately called her, Ms. Atomic Bomb—knowing her for her joy-filled stories and ability to see the best in everything and everybody. She married Joseph William McDonald on September 4, 1947 She worked for many years at the local newpaper in Wayne, Michigan, in sales and writing ads. She is a life-time member and Past Commander of DAV Aux. #134; life member of VFW Aux. #1075 in Harrison, Michigan. She spent much of her adult married life in Wayne, Michigan. She and Joseph retired to Gladwin, Michigan in 1975 and moved to Rosharon, Texas in 1985. She was an avid quilter and loved the fellowship with her quilt-mates at Almeda Baptist Church (member) and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Houston and Iowa Colony, Texas, respectively. She loved gardening, rock hunting, and morel mushroom hunting in the woods of Michigan. She was a vivid dreamer and writer, with poetry being her gift. She resided with her daughter and son-in-law after her husband Joseph passed away. Her greatest joy was the time she treasured with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by two sisters, James Alice Wolf and Thelma Semilene Cawood; brother-in-law Terry Wolf, son Phillip McDonald and daughter Sheila Rivera; son-in-law Jose Rivera and daughter-in-law Faith Sadley; grandchildren Sarah, Joseph and Abraham Darrehshoori and Kristin Rivera; great-grandchildren Christopher Darrehshoori, Martin and Mark. Jr. Rodriguez, Joey Lemonis, Matthew and Michael Lightsey, Jacob and Jeremiah Broxton; and many, many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased loved ones include husband Joseph William McDonald, son Duncan Scott McDonald, grand-daughter Dorothy Monette Lightsey, father and mother Rev. William and Eva Wilson, siblings Robert Carlos, Jessie Arietta, Jackson, Donald Elwood, and Dorothy Mae.
Services will be held at SouthPark Funeral Home, 1310 N. Main Street, Pearland, TX 77581, 281-485-2711 on Monday April 20, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m., Pastor Shirley Molina of Lakewood Church officiating. www.southparkfunerals.com
Brief pavilion service at Houston National Cemetery Tuesday at 10:45 a.m., Lane 1.
With a twinkle in her eye, she would love you “a bushel and a peck and a hug around your neck.”
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