Dona Leta McPherson

Dona Leta Manning McPherson, 93, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 24, 2023. A visitation has been scheduled for January 12, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with a graveside service following at 1:00 at Houston National Cemetery. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at North Oaks Baptist Church of Spring at 2:00 p.m.

Dona McPherson was born May 14, 1930, in Norman, Oklahoma to parents Truman and Willie (Momma Bill) Manning. She soon after moved to Amarillo, Texas and eventually moved to Houston, Texas. On December 20, 1946, Dona married Ernest Gordon (Mac) McPherson Jr. Together, they had two children, Ernest Gordon (Buster) McPherson III and Cynthia (Cindy) McPherson, and raised them in Houston. Throughout her years, Dona’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. While in Houston, she was a member of Rittenhouse Baptist Church. She was a devoted member who volunteered her time to multiple church projects, taught Sunday School, and faithfully participated in bible studies. Her faithful devotion and service to God were inspirations to those around her and instilled in her children and grandchildren a mutual desire to seek a foundation focused on the same principles. In addition to her joy found in studying and enhancing her faith, Dona was an accomplished seamstress. There was nothing she couldn’t create behind the pedal of her sewing machine. Her creative talents extended beyond sewing and needlepoint to painting. She had a knack for painting beautiful landscapes and created many works of art centered around her favorite scene: the Texas spring fields all in bloom with bluebonnets. These paintings are cherished keepsakes of her family. When she was not creating, she was reading. This love of reading she modeled spilled over into her grandchildren as well. In 1981, Dona and Ernest embraced retirement and moved to Trawick, Texas. In Trawick, Dona continued her life of service through her membership at Trawick Presbyterian Church. Countless hours were spent in fellowship quilting, participating in bible study, and serving the community through the church. Her other talents continued to thrive in Trawick as well, and it was here, looking out from the back porch across the blooming fields, that she found her love of painting the Texas bluebonnet. Eventually, the couple moved back to Houston to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and medical conveniences. With this move, Dona was able to spend more time with her favorite people: her grandchildren and eventually her great-grandchildren. She was loved dearly by her four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, and she relished every moment spent with them and always wanted to know what was going on in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Truman and Willie Manning, spouse Ernest Gordon (Mac) McPherson Jr., brother Jerry, and sister Lucille.

Survivors include her son Buster (EG McPherson III) and daughter-in-law Donna, his children: granddaughter Kimberly Kenjura, husband Gregory, and great-grandson Parker, and granddaughter Kelly Genovese, husband Jason, and great-grandchildren Rowan and Lawson; daughter Cindy McPherson, her children: grandson Kyle Lopez, wife Emily, and great-grandchildren Keira, Skyler, and Karter, and grandson Joshua Lopez, wife Belky, and great-grandchildren Gavyn, Ryder, Kayla, Joana and Derek.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to North Oaks Baptist Church of Spring, Texas.

A visitation for Dona will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. Following the visitation will be a committal service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.