Linda McDonald

Linda Raye Cory McDonald passed away at the age of 79 on August 14, 2022 from complications of Polycystic Liver and Kidney Disease, which is an genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow. She did everything possible to be healthy but after struggling for 40 years her liver and kidney failed. Born in 1943 on July 20th in Perry, Oklahoma to Raymond Bert Cory and Laura Mae Anglin, she was a smart child that excelled in school and loved reading. Linda deeply loved family, especially her next younger brother, John Cory. Throughout her life she wanted to please people and show love. Being the oldest of seven siblings, she spent a large part of her early life taking care of and raising her younger brothers and sisters. Married in 1963 on February 14th to Leon Leslie McDonald, she was a devoted wife and later mother to their three children; David Leon, Larry Shane and Kesa Lin. As a young bride her father provided the down payment on a sewing machine and she learned to sew. She blessed her husband and children with homemade clothes, dolls and toys, and special gifts. Even though they were poor, Leon kept the family fed by working hard and gardening. Linda carefully managed the funds and harvested the garden in order to spoil her husband and children with wonderful meals. Linda was an excellent cook and baked delicious desserts. The children truly enjoyed the yearly heart shaped sugar cookies to remember and celebrate their parents’ wedding day. After the birth of their youngest child in 1973, Leon and Linda brought their family home, which was a source of joy. Linda kept a spotless home and was always happy to host anyone that visited. Their neighbors encouraged the young family to attend church and Linda was saved in 1974 at Muskogee Christian Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She remained a faithful Christian until her death. For joy Linda researched ancestry, kept track of recording family details, took pictures and created beautiful photo albums of each year. She thought it important to pass down family knowledge. To promote family bonds, Linda constantly sent cards and letters and accepted collect phone calls. She fed and clothed loved ones in need and gave gifts of handmade crochet, cross stitch, embroidery and sewing projects. Her children, nieces and nephews treasured their dolls, Winnie the Pooh collection, and the yearly Christmas ornaments. From 1980 to 2020, every new baby was blessed with an embroidery Prayer blanket. She took delight in watching her children grow and cared about their friends. As home-room mother, girl scout leader, and church volunteer she stayed involved in her children's lives and along the way, influenced many of their classmates. Her focus was serving her family and showing God's love to anyone in her path. Linda was determined to give her children the best education possible and never accepted less. In the days before federal laws required equal education for all people, Linda pushed for a deaf and hard of hearing class for her oldest son. Facing hardships around every corner, she kept working hard until Muskogee Public Schools finally permitted a class for hearing impaired pupils. The public service announcements, holding meetings at the public library and in her home, finding students and the teacher, and securing state funding to begin the program was well worth it thirteen years later when those students walked across the stage at Indian Bowl to receive their high school diploma. After years of testing, her youngest child was finally diagnosed with hearing perception disorder, which required special classes and many hours of assistance to overcome that learning disability. Linda pushed her daughter to reach high standards. By junior high her daughter was removed from LD classes, and never received additional services, but achieved many honors throughout high school. After adulthood, Leon and Linda would not financially support their children, but to reduce the cost of college expenses, Linda drove her daughter to and from Northeastern State University (NSU). While studying math came easy, Kesa struggled with reading and writing. So, Linda proof read her daughter's term papers and kept encouraging her to be successful. Writing the thesis for the master's degree was agony, all the difficulties of researching tortured Kesa and all the stress of coping with a learning disability surfaced. Linda comforted her child and helped her deal with the emotional pain. Linda wanted the best for her children and her sacrifice, love, encouragement, and dedication greatly benefited them. As a result of hard work and determination, Kesa graduated from NSU with a bachelors in December 1998 and a masters degree in May 2010. Since earning her education, Kesa has taught math to thousands of young people, showing the same love and kindness as her Mother demonstrated. Over the years, many college students in Kesa's path have been influenced by Linda and grown to love and appreciate Mama McDonald. In addition to their children, God blessed Leon and Linda with three grandchildren; Emmie Lue, Carrie LeAnne, and David Leslie; and two great-grandchildren; Lyla Hope and Athena Lee. As old age and the chronic disease took a toll on her body, she slowed down but never stopped loving people. On her death bed she often said, "I just want to see God. I want people to know faith, hope and peace. I want people to know that I love everyone". Linda was predeceased in death by her parents and husband of 39 years. She is survived by her children, grand children, great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) foundation at P.O. Box 871847; Kansas City, MO, 64187. The family will receive friends from 4-8PM, Thursday, August 18, 2022 @ Cornerstone Funeral Home. A celebration of Linda’s life will be at 10AM, Friday, August 19, 2022 at York Street Christian Church with Pastor Gene Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Linda McDonald

July 20, 1943 - August 14, 2022