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Edith Lockhart Rapp McDonald, age 85 of Picayune, MS, died Tuesday, June 10, 2008 in Picayune, MS. Edith McDonald was a Registered Nurse.
Following her graduation from Libertyville High School in Illinois she worked for Illinois Bell until moving to Picayune with her parents. Mrs. McDonald and her sisters graduated from the Mather School of Nursing at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans and became Registered Nurses.
During her nursing career she practiced at Southern Baptist Hospital, The Martin Sanatorium in Picayune, the L.O. Crosby Memorial Hospital in Picayune, and for over 20 years she was the School Nurse for the Picayune Municipal Separate School District being the first School Nurse hired by the District. She was initially the only nurse and worked at all the schools in the District. Successfully obtaining public and private grants, Mrs. McDonald implemented school programs for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and heart screenings. Children with potential problems were turned over to health care specialists for further testing and treatment. The sight and hearing problems corrected by the programs enabled many children to successfully finish their schooling. She was assisted in her efforts by the Picayune Lions, the Picayune Rotary Club, the Picayune Junior Auxiliary, other clubs, businesses and individuals. Edith McDonald was president of McDonald Funeral Home and continued to work there during visitations until recently. She served as an unpaid office volunteer at the District Attorney’s Office in Poplarville during her son’s terms as District Attorney.
She was a charter member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Picayune, The Picayune Rotary Club, a former member of The Picayune Women’s Club, The Picayune Chamber of Commerce, which selected her as Citizen of the Year, The AARP with which she served on the state level, The National Society of The Daughters of The American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and a former Associate Member of the Junior Auxiliary of Picayune. She was a member of Les Marionettes Social Club in New Orleans and served as the Carnival Queen.
Edith McDonald loved and worked for children, both in her professional life and her private life. She strived to better their quality of life and educational opportunities. Service in religious, military, professional, and civic activities was consistently stressed to her sons by Mrs. McDonald.
Her family would like to thank Dr. Edward St. Martin, the staff of Baptist Hospital, Dr. Ahmad Haidar, and the staff of Highland Community Hospital, Gulf Coast Home Health, Hospice Care of Louisiana and Mississippi, Fr. Roger Hartline, and Mrs. Sheryl Dillard for their assistance and care during her illness. Mrs. Dillard was a loving, caring, and attentive assistant to her during her final days. The family would also like to thank Mrs. Libby Macbeth who was Mrs. McDonald’s friend and helper for many years and who was present with the family at the time of death. The family would also like to thank all her friends for their prayers and support. .
The deceased is survived by: Two Sons, Claiborne “Buddy” McDonald, IV an attorney with McDonald and Patch PLLC, who is married to Suzy Stockstill McDonald and Stephen Lamar McDonald, Sr., Vice President and CEO of McDonald Funeral Home who is married to Ann Boldon McDonald. She had eight grandchildren and step-grandchildren; David McDonald, Hugh McDonald, Kenneth McDonald, Neil McDonald, Stephen Lamar McDonald, Jr., Emily Bowman, Erin Bowman, and Steve Rodgers. And one step great-granddaughter, Avery Rodgers, Two Sisters, Esther Johnson, Dallas, TX. and Jessie Chaney of Arkansas and One Brother, Lester Rapp of New Orleans, LA.
The deceased is preceded in death by: her husband: Claiborne McDonald, III [Jr.]; her parents: William Lennox Rapp, Sr. and Margaret Lockhart Rapp; and two brothers: William L. Rapp, Jr., and Kenneth Rapp. | |
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| Date: | Saturday, June 14, 2008 | | Time: | 10:00am - 1:00pm | | Location: | Trinity United Methodist Church |
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| Date: | Saturday, June 14, 2008 | | Time: | 1:00pm | | Location: | Trinity United Methodist Church | | Officiated by: | Rev. David Lowery and Father Roger Hartline |
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| Location: | New Palestine Cemetery | | Directed by: | McDonald Funeral Home |
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