Obituary - Zela Mae (Batchelor) McDonald

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Zella Mae McDonald
June 22, 1919 - February 3, 2010

Heaven’s great cloud of witnesses took on a more brilliant glow Wednesday, February 3, 2010 with the entrance of Zella Mae Batchelor McDonald.

The grand matriarch of McDonald, Johnson, DeVillier and Folk families passed away peacefully at her Nederland home while talking on the phone with one of many “favorite” nieces, Karen Sue Walker. Mrs. McDonald had a joyous 90-year mission, spreading the love of her Lord beyond family to hundreds of friends, Her humor, enthusiasm and compassion were showered on all she met along the way. Zella Mae was Mother to daughter Kay, Grandmother to grandchildren Grant and Jennifer and “Granny Mae” to great-granddaughter Mollie Mae. Grandchildren Craig, Mark and Amanda, and many more blessed by her steady hand, knew her as “Auntie.”

She cruised the streets of Nederland to the day she passed away, made countless trips to her earlier home in Kirbyville, cheered shut-ins almost daily, and earned the title of Auntie-go-Mae as exasperated family tried to keep track of her whereabouts. Auntie personified “Amazing Grace” as she traversed the peaks and valleys of life. Born on June 22, 1919, in Call (Jasper County), she grew up in the sawmill town with three brothers and three sisters, and married D.A. McDonald in 1940. She followed D.A. to Wisconsin during his service days, and returned to Kirbyville before moving to Nederland in 1957. Zella Mae’s radiant spirit touched countless children in kindergarten classes, as well as fellow teachers, during her long career at Highland Park Elementary School.

Her extraordinary courage pulled the family through when their first daughter, Patricia Ann (Jeep) died in a tragic crash on Cardinal Drive at the age of 33. Fourteen years later, D.A. suffered a stroke, and Zella Mae again marveled all as she kept a six-year vigil at his bedside. In her widowed years, Zella Mae and a close circle of friends stayed active in church outreach projects, and could usually be found laughing and reveling in a game of cards to top off a busy day. The day before her own passing, Mrs. McDonald had mourned at the funeral of one of those cherished friends, Janie Price, 94.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 6, 2010 5:00-8:00 PM at Broussard’s Funeral Home in Nederland. Funeral services will be held at First Methodist Church in Nederland at 2:00 PM on Sunday, conducted by Reverend Malcolm Monroe, pastor, associate Reverend Toney Miller and former pastor, Reverend Eldon Reed. Burial will be at Oak Bluff Memorial Park.

She had played the organ for worship services at First Methodist for many years, and delighted nursing home residents and many others with her cheerful ways.

In addition to D.A. and Jeep, she was predeceased by brothers Buford, R. B. and Bill Batchelor. Survivors include Kay and her husband, Dr. Mike Johnson of Greenville, S.C., son-in-law and daughter-in-law Russ and Beth DeVillier of Nederland, grandsons Craig DeVillier and wife Kristina, Mark DeVillier and wife Stacey of Nederland, and Dr. Grant Johnson and wife Paige of Dallas; grand-daughter Jennifer and husband Dr. Jason Folk of Greenville, S.C. and Amanda McLauchlin of Nederland; great grandchildren Mikala, Nicholas and Sara DeVillier, Mollie Mae Folk, Alexander Johnson, Andy Stimits, Amber Wallis, and Leah Johnson; great-great granddaughters Rylie and Sophia Chesnutt; sisters Lois McKee of Lake Jackson, Dot Walker of Groves and Lavelle Hogan of Nederland, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers will be grandsons Craig and Mark DeVillier and Grant Johnson, son-in-law Jason Folk, great-grandson Nicholas DeVillier, and nephew Richard Batchelor.

Zella Mae’s entire life reflected her unwavering trust in God the Father, His son Jesus and the Hoy Spirit. She heard the Word, lived it, and generously passed in on. In so doing, she gained her place alongside all faithful witnesses (Hebrew 12:1), long ago ridding herself of every burden and running with perseverance the race marked out for her. She acknowledged each day as they day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24) encouraging all to rejoice and be glad.

Memorial may be made to First United Methodist Church Nederland, P.O. Box 905, Nederland, Texas 77627.