She was born Ila Lois on September 18, 1924, to W. Carl and Buena Logan Wallace in Dallas County, Alabama. The family lived in Perry County, Alabama, until Carl’s death. Following her graduation from Elmore County High School in Alabama, Lois moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where she attended Lamar College and taught school in Orange, Texas.
In 1945, Lois met her future husband, D.L. “Mack” McDonald, who had just been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps. They were married on February 10, 1946, in Port Arthur, Texas, by Pastor Joslin at Southside Baptist Church.
Lois and Mack made their home together in Brownwood, Texas, where they reared three sons. She found great joy in her family and embraced her role as a grandmother with enthusiasm and delight. Lois was an avid reader and gardener. She often showed her love through home cooked meals and homemade pies, cookies, and cakes.
Mrs. McDonald valued education and taught third grade at Early Elementary for twenty years. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Howard Payne College and attended summer programs at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, San Angelo, Texas, and in Mexico.
Lois was a woman of unshakeable faith and had a servant’s heart. She gave her time to Good Samaritan Charities and tirelessly served those around her. Her mission of loving others continued even after she was no longer physically able to work. She was a member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church and a friend of Grosvenor Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, William Wallace, Thomas Perry Wallace, Wendolyn Terry, Erma Scaglione, Mike Wallace, and Marion Wallace; and granddaughter, Ashley Steed.
Mrs. McDonald is survived by her husband, D.L. McDonald; her children, Terry and Pam McDonald of Brownwood, Texas, Mike and Marci McDonald of Abilene, Texas, and Philip and Teri McDonald of Leander, Texas; granddaughters Melanie Heimann, Leslie McDonald, Casey McDonald, and Tara Zettel; great-grandchildren Gabe Heimann, Gus Zettel, Rainey Zettel, and Tori Zettel; sister, Ruby Kelsey of Groves, Texas; special friends, Dr. Chris and Nancy Stephens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 8, 2015, at the chapel at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park.