Billie Jean Harrison McDonald, 79, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully in her home on July 11, 2013, with her husband Arthur at her bedside. She was affectionately known as Maw Maw, Mom, Billie Jean, Billie, or Mrs. McDonald.
Billie Jean was born in Beaumont, Texas on March 8, 1934, to Audie and Bill Harrison. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1952. Mrs. McDonald worked for many years in the South Park Independent School District as a secretary at Mac Arthur Junior High and then she was the Librarian at Caldwood Elementary where the Library/Media Center was named in her honor. She has been a devoted member of North End Baptist Church for almost sixty years.
Maw Maw’s greatest passions were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She would brag on them at any opportunity. She was very quick witted and loved to laugh and make others laugh. Mom loved playing games. Many hours of Bunco, Uno and Chicken Foot have been logged at her kitchen table.
Survivors include her husband of fifty-nine years, Arthur McDonald; children, Steve McDonald and his wife, Cecile; Shannon McDonald and his wife, Susan; and Michelle McDonald; loving grandchildren, Audie McDonald, Elyse McDonald, Jake McDonald, Tara Green, Connor McDonald, Colton McDonald, and Tanner Green; and great-granddaughter, Savannah McDonald.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and oldest grandson, Kevin.
A gathering of Mrs. McDonald’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Serving as pallbearers will be Lloyd Fore, Dion Daleo, Doug Streater, and her grandsons, Jake McDonald, Connor McDonald, Colton McDonald, and Tanner Green. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Knupple, Joe Dan Taylor, Jerry Christopher, and John Coleman.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to North End Baptist Church Library, 5115 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
A special thank you from Steve and Shannon goes to our sister Michelle who sacrificed daily, for over a year, during Mom’s declining health. Michelle made sure Mom, Dad and all the animals were well fed and taken care of.
