Estell McDonald

Estell Childers McDonald passed away January 21, 2025, at the age of 101. The 2nd youngest of 12 children, she was born March 15, 1923, and grew up on a farm near Emory, Texas. Estelle met the love of her life, Billy McDonald, at a fair in Emory. They married November 18, 1946, and began their family in Pleasant Grove in Dallas. She lived life to the fullest. Her priority was caring for her family: her children, her husband, her siblings, and her nieces and nephews. She also developed a passionate love of her Pomeranian dogs, engaging in a world of dog lovers, dog shows, and competitions, up to and including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, winning ample awards and honors. Perhaps because of her upbringing at home on the farm, she was most comfortable working and being out of doors, tending her garden, her yard, and her trees, and taking long neighborhood walks. Estelle was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Childers, by her husband of 51 years, Billy McDonald, and by all her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She is survived by her daughter Louise McDonald, her son Jimmy McDonald, her granddaughters Tammy McDaniel and Rushell McDonald, and by her great granddaughter Miranda Gibbs. Arrangements are being managed by New Hope Funeral Home of Sunnyvale, Texas. Interment will be at Sparkman-Hillcrest in Dallas on Monday, February 3, at 2:00 PM. To convey condolences and to sign an online registry, please visit www.newhopefh.com.