Carol Emerson McDonald

December 19, 1932 - May 17, 2020

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visitation

No Visitation scheduled.

service

Covenant Presbyterian Church

1901 Milton Street

Monroe, LA 71201

Friday 5/22

cemetery

Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery

623 Hwy 80E

Monroe, LA 71203

318-343-1511 |

Friday 5/22

Carol Emerson McDonald, age 87, died May 17, 2020. Carol was born in Monroe, Louisiana on December 19, 1932 to Arthur James Emerson and Rachel Mignon Lindsey Emerson. She grew up in Monroe and attended Ward-Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee for her preparatory education. As a young girl she loved the summers spent at Camp Waldemar in Hunt, Texas. Carol attended Southern Methodist University but finished her degree at Louisiana State University. She married the love of her life, Jesse Dekalb McDonald on December 28, 1954. They resided in Monroe where they raised their three girls Molly, Dee and Ainslee. She had nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren that loved her dearly and refered to her fondly as “Mama Mac”.

Carol was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for over 60 years where she served as an elder and acted in many capacities. Mrs. McDonald was a past president of the Junior League of Monroe, President of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity alumnus, President of The Monroe Garden Club, a charter member of The Monroe Garden Study League, member of The Garden Club of America.

One of her greatest passions in life was floral design. She was a Floral Design Judge with the Garden Club of America, a lifetime appointment. She received numerous awards including The Garden Club of America’s Medal of Merit and the Martha Newton Law Award, which is presented to a member who has generously shared her expertise in the field of judging and encouraged the art of flower arranging.

Mrs. McDonald is survived by her three daughters and their families: Molly McDonald Hoebeke (husband Bob) of Plano, Texas; Dee McDonald Ledbetter (husband John) of Monroe and Ainslee McDonald Boyce of Fort Worth, Texas. God gifted “Mama Mac” with grandchildren: Shelby Hoebeke Ellzey (husband Jake), Whitney Hoebeke Jodry (husband Max), McDonald Robinson Ledbetter (wife Brittney), Land Emerson Ledbetter (fiancé Lauren), Rachel Ledbetter Kern (husband Blair), Carol-Sidney Boyce Simmons (husband Houston), Beaumont Stinnett Boyce, Jr. (wife Jordan), George Lindsey Boyce (wife Lauren), and Mary-Claire Masterson Boyce. The Greats are Shelby McCall Ellzey, John Kevin Ellzey, Jr., Richard Maxwell Jodry, Grafton Crews Jodry, Emerson Bradford Jodry, Emma Lou Helen Ledbetter, Ella Hayes Ledbetter, Beau Farace Kern, Houston Boyce Simmons, Ainslee Mignon Simmons, Philip Conkey Simmons, Beaumont Stinnett Boyce, III and Benjamin Highams Boyce.

Funeral Services are under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, funeral services will be held for immediate family only at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 22, 2020 with the Reverend John T. Mabray officiating. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Our greatest appreciation goes to Julie Cunningham for her tireless support and the staff of loving caregivers.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

No Visitation scheduled.

Covenant Presbyterian Church

1901 Milton Street

Monroe, LA 71201

Map

Friday 5/22

Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery

623 Hwy 80E

Monroe, LA 71203

318-343-1511 | Map

Friday 5/22

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My thoughts and prayers are with this loving family. Thinking of you all and sending you virtual hugs and many prayers.

So sorry for your loss, Carol was such a beautiful, loving and caring person.

My heart and prayers go out to Molly, Dee and Ainslee. I have such fond childhood memories both from Monroe and Camp Waldemar of Carol; she was always so kind to me. A true Southern lady! I pray her family will find comfort in cherished memories and hope in our resurrection faith. Love, Mary Brooke Oliphint Casad Romans 14:8

Carol was such a wonderful role model! She brought beauty and grace to every door she entered. Our love and prayers are with the entire family. Love, Lori & Louis

Carol was such an elegant lady. She always had a smile for me when we meet. I so enjoyed our time together in Garden Club if America. She will be missed.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

Dee, I will always remember the many “visits” I shared with your mother. We exchanged life stories, fond memories and our views about the world. Our visits never seemed long enough. She was such a delight. Her faith and love for her family was always present in our talks. You and your family were truly blessed to have her as long as you did. I know your faith will give you the strength you need at this time. I will miss seeing “Miss Carol” and am so blessed to have known her. She was a treasure! Suzanne Taylor

Sorry we never got to meet “Mama Mac”. I’m certain she was a lovely lady as evidenced in the remarkable and kind family she raised. Rest In Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. John and Bonnie

I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May the soul of your mother be at peace with our Heavenly Father.

Dear entire related Family, My condolences. To me Carol enthusiastically touched all she met. She was always so nice and engaging to me. Sincerely yours, Steve Mintz

Dee....Marilou and I were so sorry to learn of your mom passing. Please know that we are thinking of you, and John, and send our deepest sympathies and condolences. May God bless you during this difficult time. Frank and Marilou Scalia

Molly, Dee and Ainslee. I am so sorry. Your mom and your dad were such an important part of my life. So many, many wonderful memories. If there is room here I must tell this story because it is so Carol. A couple of years ago I was leaving a visitation at Grace Church and about to walk across 4th street to the parking lot. There came Carol dressed to the nines as usual and in her high (and I mean HIGH) heels. about to cross the street. I rushed to her side and she took my arm as I escorted her into the church. To my gentle caution about wearing such high heeled shoes she said, "Craig, I hope I never grow so old that I must wear low heel shoes!" I imagine Jesse and Carol are now arm in arm strolling those golden streets, and her in her high heels. "'Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them.'" Rev. 14:13 May it be so. Rest in peace, my dear friend. Much love to you all. Craig

Ms. Carol was a true Southern Bell and she lead by example and settled for nothing but the BEST (as she saw it) lol but she was always so nice to our family and truly raised a Blessed family....the world needs more ladies like Ms. Carol, but they are too far and in between...with love and sympathy, Joe Farr and family

We love the McDonald family and wish you all our profound sympathy.

Just to let your entire family know how sorry I was to hear of Carol's passing. I remember Carol fondly and every time I would see her she would remind me that my birthday and the day that PaPaw Lindsey died were the same. Thinking of your family during this time. I know she is with Aunt Mignon, Uncle Arthur and of course cousin Jesse D. Love to all the family, Richard K. Albritton

Molly, Dee and Ainslee. I am counting my many, many blessings and am flooded with a lifetime of memories. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. Your mom was so wise from a wealth of experiences and I always valued her wisdom. I will miss your dear mom. Seldom did I see your mom without your dad for indeed "two are better than one." This picture has been on my desk for many years and is indeed a treasure. I love you all like family. All four of our care givers from early life on this very day have no pain and no sorrow as they rest in their eternal home. Thanks Be to God! TREY
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Molly, Dee and Ainslee, I am so sorry to hear of Carol's death. She was a beautiful Southern lady - inside and out. May God's grace and Peace help each of you in your grief. I know Mom was glad to see her as she entered Heaven. Linda

I was greeted with great sadness this morning, seeing Miss Carol's lovely picture, then I thought, well, Perhaps God needed a new director of flower arrangements & greenhouses. I could write a book in regard to your parents, your weddings, the Garden club, & there's Errol right up in the big middle of it all. He loved your parents. He learned so much from Miss Carol & Mr. Jesse. If I did not know that they were all together having a good time and enjoying the loving arms of heaven, I would be over wrought. But I know as you you do that we will be with them eventually and they will have lots of stories to tell. Your parents were the epitome of Southern Graces, and they reared you three to be the same. Prayers to all of you, that lovely large family of sweetness. Barbara

So sorry to read about your mama. She was a true Southern Lady. Sending prayers for all of the families.

McDonald Girls, I am so sad to hear of the loss of your sweet Mama! I bet she wore those high heels until the very end! She was always so kind to me and could be very funny, also. She went to EVERY funeral, so it is a good move to just have family. Please know that Alan and I will be there in spirit. We are also praying for you and your family. (Also, I didn’t know that she went to Ward Belmont. My mother went their also!)

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.