“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
Lillie Emma Psencik McDonald went home to be with her LORD and Savior on December 9, 2019 surrounded by her loving family and her extended family of the residents and caring staff of Avante Rehabilitation Center in Irving, Texas. Lillie was born on August 29, 1920 to Frank and Emma Psencik on Clinton Street in Ft. Worth, Texas.
*The following is an excerpt from the autobiography of my mother, Lillie McDonald.
“We didn’t live in Ft. Worth too long. My father’s people felt that town was no place to live and that we three needed to come to Seaton, Texas and farm. We moved and lived in and around Seaton for many years. We always lived in old unpainted houses. At age 18, after graduating from the Seaton School, I moved to San Antonio and worked for the Loring Mortuary. My first paycheck became the downpayment for my mother’s false teeth. On September 5, 1944, I joined the United States Navy Waves and shortly after, I boarded a train for the Bronx in New York City. The train stopped in each little town and community along the way to pick up girls like me who were excited to see different parts of the country. By the time we arrived, we were all close friends. We completed our Basic Training at Hunters College and while there, we learned to march in step, make our beds and be trained for the job we would be doing for the next 12-18 months. I was sent to Cedar Falls, Iowa with a large group of girls to be trained as military clerk-typists. I loved everything about the Navy. I had a warm winter coat, three meals a day that were very generous and I got to sleep in a bed by myself! When my training was over, I was sent to the NAAS in Kingsville, Texas. We were not greeted warmly by most of the men there. Our arrival signaled their departure to the front lines of the South Pacific. It was there that I met Roy McDonald and we got married at the preacher’s house on December 22, 1945. Roy and I were Honorably Discharged from the Navy in January 1946 and we went home to his parent’s house in Tyler, Texas to began our life together. Our son, Wade was born on November 28, 1946 and our daughter, Jensy was born on November 5, 1950. Roy passed away on September 10, 1955 after suffering a heart attack. Our lives would never be the same. In 1964, I graduated from Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches, Texas and earned a Masters degree in Education from there in 1966. I taught for the Tyler Independent School District for 24 years, retiring in 1988. Wade and I continued to be faithful members of West Erwin Church of Christ and volunteer each week at the Benevolent Center. After Wade suffered a stroke in 2011, we moved to the Clairmont in Tyler and in 2013, we moved to Irving to be closer to Jensy and Mike and Meredith and Melissa. In July of 2016, Wade passed away at Avante Rehabilitation. That was the hardest time in my life and I was grateful to have Mike and Jensy and Meredith and Melissa. In November of 2017, I moved into Avante as a full time resident. Life at Avante brought new friends, new experiences, peace and finally a rest for my soul.”
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 12-13. NIV
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3: 20-21 NIV
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Goodwill of East Texas in Lillie’s name.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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