Kathryn Allene McDonald

Kathryn A. “Allene” McDonald, entered her eternal home of rest on July 30, 2018. She was born on December 31, 1939, in Beauregard Parish. She remained in Beauregard Parish until she met her husband, Rev. James E. McDonald, in 1963 while he was working for the Louisiana Department of Transportation. They were married on November 27, 1964, in her parents’ home in Singer, LA. From this marriage, they had four children. They settled in Provencal, LA in 1978. In 1983 dad was called to preach and mom was called to be a preacher’s wife. Of all the things that she did in life, this was her greatest accomplishment. She took her job as the preacher’s wife very seriously. Anytime that dad was in the pulpit mom was sitting on the front row on the right-hand side. She was our prayer warrior. We often joked that she had a direct line to God. She was the one that we automatically called when anyone was in the need of prayer. Even though she only had four children of her own there was not a child in Provencal that didn’t visit our home at one time or another. As long as there was a spot for a blanket there was always room for another child to stay. She was later blessed with 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Truth be known out of all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she had she truly had no favorites. However, if you ask any of them they will tell you that they were all her favorite. Throughout the years in true “Big Momma” form, she adopted many others as her own and eventually, she just became “Big Momma” to all the kids that visited the hill. She loved them all and anytime you would listen she would brag on them. Big Momma enjoyed watching her girls play softball and were their number one fan. When she still had it in her you could hear her hollering from the stands, generally first and middle name, telling them how to hit and when to run. Often, hollering at their coach at the same time telling her what needed to be done. In all reality, she was the true meaning of what a mother and grandmother were supposed to be. She was loving, caring and compassionate yet at the same time, she held us all to a certain standard. She wanted us to all put our faith in God and always put him first. She encouraged each of us to find our own way and to do what made us happy. Big Momma reminded us that no matter what happens in life that family comes first and that we should always watch out for each other. She would often say, “I may not agree with you but I still love you anyway”. Allene is survived by her husband of 54 years, Rev. James “Jimmy” E. McDonald, three sons, James Wallace McDonald (Terri) of Conroe, TX; Clyde Edward “Eddie” McDonald(Amy) of Provencal, LA and Burton “Burt” Ray McDonald(Sherry) of Mansfield, LA and one daughter, Shelia Diane McDonald(Nickie) of Provencal, LA. 15 grandchildren, Sarah(Sammy) Conroe, TX; Lise (CJ) Provencal, LA; Meghan(Britt) Angola, LA; Angela “Red”(Keith) Cypress, LA; Raeghan, Provencal, LA; Dawn(Aaron) Natchitoches, LA; Kirstin(Joey)Mansfield, LA; Karlie(Sawyer)Ashland, LA; Bryce, Mansfield, LA; Sandy(Chad) Conroe, TX; Jason(Leah)Conroe, TX; Koby(Jess)Conroe, TX; Emily(Scott) Conroe, TX and Annalese, Denton, TX. She was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren: Ryleigh Ann; Sadie Claire; Austyn Grace; Lexi Nicole; KJ (Keith Keoki Jr.); Laney James; Waylon; Scarlett; Kaiden; Ty; Trent; Hannah; Clay and Colt and a host of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Herbert R. Cooley, Singer, LA; sister-n-law, JoAnn Cooley (Frank) Singer, LA; sister-n-law, LaVern Foster, Winnoa, TX; Sister-n-law, LaVelle Cochran (Wiley), Cement, OK; brother-n-law, Roy McDonald (Ina), Natchitoches, LA and her uncle, Royce Smith, of Merryville, LA.  As well as her special friends Jennise Martin and Lori Ann Savell and her husband Kelby, if drinking coffee and morning talks could solve the world’s problems, they would have solved them all by now. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie Burton Cooley and Margie S. Cooley of Singer, LA, one brother, Frank Burton Cooley of Singer, LA and her granddaughter, Halie Diane McDonald, of Conroe, TX. The family of Kathryn A. “Allene” McDonald of Provencal, LA, will receive visitors Friday, August 3, 2018, at Provencal First Baptist Church from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday, August 4, 2018, at Provencal First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with Brother Randy Oliff officiating, interment will follow at Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, Oak Grove, LA. Those honored as pallbearers will be her nephews, Keith McDonald, Justin McDonald, Dean Cooley, and Jeffery Dale Cooley, her grandsons, CJ VanHook and Sammy Robinson, and members of her church family, Stanley James, and Gary Anderson. Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandson Bryce Parker, her great-grandsons, KJ Sarpy, Kaiden Hayes and her special nephew, Jeffery Dale McDonald, who if he could take his place beside her other nephews.