Laura Elaine McDonald

Our beloved mother Laura Elaine (Green) McDonald, aged 73, passed away in the presence of her family on November 23, 2025. A caring mother, devoted grandmother, and generous friend, Laura’s life was defined by her strength, selflessness, and unconditional love for everyone that was blessed to know her.

Laura was born on December 04, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. Known simply as “Lainey” to those closest to her, Laura was the middle of three children and is survived by her mother Laura Green of Mesquite, TX, her older sister Linda Redd of Terrell, TX, and her younger sister Terri Morris, married to Philip Morris, of Mesquite, TX, along with several nieces and nephews that she deeply loved. She is preceded in death by her father Billy Joe Green of Clayton, OK.

Laura attended Mesquite High School, Wilkerson Middle School, and Tisinger and Annie Webb Elementary Schools. Later she went on to complete her Associates Degree from Eastfield College, and in one of her life’s proudest moments, completed her Bachelors Degree in Business and Human Relations from Amber University where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Throughout her life, Laura held different positions including Accounting/Bookkeeping at Timberlawn Hospital and at Western Electric/AT&T/Lucent where she worked in Production Assembly and Purchasing before she retired. Even after retiring she maintained a very busy schedule as a Wedding Consultant, Polling Clerk and Judge for Dallas County elections, and Volunteer at the Garland Community Theater and AMBUCS organization. She also enjoyed her time as a member of the Red Hat Society and participating in her Model A Club.

What Laura enjoyed most in life was spending time and traveling with her lifelong partner, children, and grandchildren, to whom she was known simply as “MiMi”. She is survived by her life partner of 35 years, Dennis Cagle of Garland, TX, her oldest son Chris McDonald of Fate, TX and his son Devin McDonald, her middle son Eric McDonald of Rowlett, TX/Buford, GA, his wife Kimberly McDonald, and his daughter Kelsey McDonald, and her daughter Heather (McDonald) Melton of Decatur, TX and her husband Chris Melton

Laura was a lover of animals of all kinds, and they always held a special place in her heart. Over the years she has cared for 8 dogs, 5 cats, and even 2 neighborhood squirrels that she took such great pleasure in being able to feed by hand. She is survived by her grandpets Biscuit and Lilly belonging to Heather Melton, Marvel and Gracie belonging to Eric McDonald, Bella belonging to Chris McDonald, Mollie belonging to Kellie Morris, and Oakley belonging to Clayton Morris. She will be reunited with her fur babies that preceded her in death including Buddy, Cosmos, Little Bit, Brittany, Tasha, Baby Girl, Rascal, Tristyn, and Jack.

Laura loved her travel adventures over the years and worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone had a good time and a unique experience they would remember long after the trip was over. Some of Laura’s favorite adventures she highlighted were all of her skiing trips to various mountains, tracing the Little House on the Prairie locations, trip to Washington, DC with Dennis (along with their “run-in” with the White House authorities), seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Heather, exploring Boston with the Carr family, touring Hawaii/Kauai/Pearl Harbor, seeing Elvis’ House and the Grand Ole Opry, the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, and ziplining during her trip to Costa Rica, along with so many others. She treasured being creative, making things by hand, and the value of a keepsake for remembering the time she spent with others.

Laura’s legacy will continue in all the lives that she has touched and spent time with. She was the embodiment of a free spirit that put her needs second to everyone else’s. Though she left us too soon, the fire and grit that she brought into this world continues to guide and comfort us.

A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, December 4, 2025, at The Park Christian Community Church located at 2701 North Town East Blvd., Mesquite, TX 75150 at 11:00 AM.  A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall where friends and family are invited to share their stories and memories.

In honor of Laura's lifelong commitment to thinking of others, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Lakeside AMBUCS of Rockwall or Grace Lake Ministries in Anna, TX.