Frances Kay McDonald, 80, passed away May 13, 2022. She was born November 19, 1941 to Lester and Mary Grantham in Brazil, Indiana.
She graduated from Van Buren High School. While in high school she was in the band and was a majorette. On January 6, 1961 she married Richard McDonald. They had five children. She worked at Clabber Girl. She then decided to become a beautician. While raising a family, she attended and graduated from House of James Beauty College. She worked at Merle Norman and Cindi’s Guys and Gals before deciding to open her own shop called the Beauty Boutique. She was known to be one of the best hairdressers in Brazil. Her most prized possessions were her children and grandchildren and her purse which she held on to for dear life.
She enjoyed having her family over for Big Sunday dinners. She was known for her outstanding yeast rolls. She always made everything from scratch, never measuring anything. She enjoyed traveling to watch her kids play sports. During this time, her and Rich practically lived at the ball park. After her children grew up she enjoyed going to Greenwood to go shopping and Goodwill and yard sales. Her and her daughter got booths at Nancy’s Downtown Mall together. They also would set up during the Covered Bridge Festival to sell their “treasures”. She made several friends through doing hair and her buying and selling.
Frances would give you the shirt off her back. She was a very giving lady. She helped all of her family, not because she had to, but because she wanted to. It was her joy to give. She was a member of Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church, where in the past she would sing with her sister Avalon and many others. Her favorites were: “There’s something about that name”, and “Just a closer walk with thee”. She even attended a Jimmy Swaggart concert with her mother, sister, and daughter. She so enjoyed singing. She never slowed down in life, even at 80, she would frequently walk from her home to her kids houses in Benwood which was over one mile. She would frequently call her children, sometimes over 10 times a day. In her eyes, her children did no wrong. She dearly loved them and her grandkids. They were her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Rich, son Doug, and brothers Jack and Bob Grantham.
She is survived by her children, Scott, Todd and Chad McDonald all of Brazil, Andrea (Brad) Jeffries, sister Avalon Hapenny, grandkids, Rachel (Mike) Heading, Doug McDonald II (Shelby), Jennifer McDonald, Madison Jeffries (Evan Mitten) and a great grandbaby, Liam Heading, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Frances will be remembered by her giving heart and loving her family. We were happy to have her in our lives and will miss her dearly.
A visitation will be held Thursday, May 19th from 1-3 P.M. at Lawson-Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Avenue in Brazil. A funeral service will begin at 3 P.M. Burial will follow at Calcutta Cemetery.