January 26, 1927 ~ February 20, 2026 (age 99)
Nola McDonald, 99, passed away peacefully Friday, February 20, 2026, at her son’s home on Bear Lake in Madison Parish, Louisiana, surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 26, 1927, in Epps, Louisiana, to Joe and Annie Possot McDermitt.
Nola was a positive influence to everyone who knew her. She always had a smile on her face and was so happy to see everyone, leaving them with "love ya, love ya, love ya." She never complained about anything and would give anybody her last dime if they asked for it and never questioned why it was needed. She loved the Lord and was a member of First Baptist Church in Tallulah. In her later years, after she came to stay with her son, she attended Parkview Baptist Church in Tallulah as long as she could get in the car. Lovingly referred to as "Granny" or "Mamaw", she loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She treated her in-laws' families as her own. She always made sure her family had food to eat and when leaving her house, she would always say, “Watch out for the train.” She could throw a dead plant in the ground and a few weeks later it was a beautiful flower full of blooms. She was well known for going to the Saturday morning garage sales in her old blue car. She was so proud of the “treasures” she found and proudly displayed them in her home. Her life revolved around her family and community. She always stated, “I can’t pay your bills, but I can feed you.” She could throw a meal together in 20 minutes and nobody left her house hungry.
She was a very hard worker and throughout her life she worked many jobs, often working multiple jobs at the same time to support her family. She started her working career as a licensed beautician. She owned and operated her own beauty shop, she worked as a waitress, and later, she owned the POST Inn Cafe. She worked at TG&Y working her way up to assistant manager. Then she went to work at Kewin shops as manager and became regional manager for North Texas. When Tallulah built the Family Dollar Store, she worked and “retired” as a manager. During this time, she worked nights staying with Mrs. Johnson. After she was 65, she worked for Madison Parish School Board. She was a Special Educator Paraprofessional as a Child Specific Aide. Her first student, Andrew Sims, held a very special place in her heart and life. She worked with him starting at Wright Elementary until he passed away as a student at McCall High School. The family joke was she was going to graduate high school again. She started taking college courses in her 70’s to help Andrew pass math and became a certified Paraprofessional. After his passing, she went to Tallulah Elementary where she finally, for the last time, retired at the age of 86.
Nola is preceded in death by her parents; her 8 siblings, Angeline "Angie" Lewis, Ozelia "Dee Dee" Carpenter, Joseph McDermitt, John Walter McDermitt, Myrtle Woods, Loyce McDermitt, Audrice “Mac” Crawford, and Vernangus “Shortie” Rogan; her oldest child, David McDonald, Jr.; her youngest child, Jane McDonald Grady; and granddaughter, Shellie McKnight.
Nola is survived by one son, Bodie McDonald (Brenda); one daughter, Judy McDonald McKnight; 11 grandchildren, Annie Difondi (Russ), Jennifer McDonald (Jeff LaCoste, Jr), Melanie Gagneaux (Brian), Stephanie McKnight, Michelle Evans (James Andrew), Keely Robertson (Justin), Nola Faye Lopez (Robert), Jamie Johnston (Greg), Chris McDonald, John Grady (Kristina), and Steven Grady (Jessica); 20 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Donna McDonald; son-in-law, Henry Grady; numerous nieces, nephews, friends; and special caregivers, Shiela Coody and Kayla Hutto.
Funeral services for Nola will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 23, 2026, at Parkview Baptist Church in Tallulah, Louisiana, with Bro. Martin Parker and Bro. Trent Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tallulah. A visitation will be held Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Crothers Glenwood Funeral Home in Tallulah.
Pallbearers will be John Grady, Steven Grady, Chris McDonald, Greg Johnston, Robert Lopez, Justin Robertson, Drew Evans, Brian Gagneaux, and Jeff LaCoste, Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Nursing Home for the care they provided for Ms. Nola during her brief stay. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Crossroads Hospice nurses for the excellent care and compassion they gave to Ms. Nola and her family. A very special thank you goes out to her sitters, whom Nola loving referred to as “Coody” and “Marsha", for the amazing job they did at taking care of Granny. We could not have made it through this journey without y’all. Y’all are the very best! Thank you
