Patricia C McDonald

May 14, 1944 – March 21, 2025

On March 21, 2025, Pat’s difficult dementia journey came to an end as she was set free to be reunited with her loved ones. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughter and son.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, K.D. and Mary Louise Cooke; her sister and brother-in-law, Jamie and Lloyd Sessions; her husband, Roland H. McDonald, Jr.; and her many fur babies.

She leaves behind her children, Traci (Greg) Wiggins and Scott (Stephanie) McDonald; her grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Grams”–Taylor Wiggins and Hunter McDonald, along with Breanna (Ledio) McDonald, Allie (John) Hicks, Jessie (Scott) Barry, and Lauren (Philip) Calagaz; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother, Terry (Laurie) Cooke.

Pat was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and later moved to Gadsden, Alabama, where she graduated from Gadsden High School. There, she met and married her high school sweetheart, Roland Jr. They moved to Birmingham and started their family. Pat was a stay-at-home mother and wife until her children went to college, after which she worked at Pizitz/McRae’s as the Houseware Department Manager, Feldstein’s, and several Hallmark Gold Crown stores as the Manager before finishing her career at Bass Pro Shop. She enjoyed working with the public and helping all her customers find the perfect item.

Pat loved spending time in New Orleans at the French Quarter and will be remembered living her life as the local saying, “Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler” – “Let the good times roll.” She was also an avid Alabama fan who loved Saturdays in the fall cheering on the Crimson Tide. She was an amazing and loving mom and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Traci and Scott would like to give special thanks to Pat’s caregiver, Jaquese Lockhart, whose support has been invaluable over the past three years. Without Jaquese, Pat and the family would have been lost in this journey. They also wish to thank the compassionate staff at Greenbriar at the Altamont for their care and comfort and Pat’s hospice nurse, Star Catrett, for ensuring her final days were peaceful and filled with dignity.

Per Pat’s wishes, there will be no formal service. She chose cremation and wanted her family to celebrate her life in her favorite place—New Orleans—a wish that will be honored. In her memory, those who wish to make a donation are encouraged to support the Birmingham Humane Society, as she adored her fur babies.