Donna Jo McLaughlin

Donna McLaughlin, age 84 of Gatesville, passed away on the evening of May 19, 2020. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Turnersville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors thirty minutes prior to the service at the cemetery.

Donna was born on May 15, 1936 in Turnersville to the late R.P. and Lucius Martin Williams. She grew up and attended school in Turnersville, graduating with the class of 1954. Donna married Grady McLaughlin on November 12, 1954 in Whitehall, TX. Together they raised four daughters and one son.  Donna worked at C.F.I.S.D. in Houston for over 26 years as a cafeteria manager and school lunch lady. In 1996 she and Grady returned to central Texas making Gatesville home. Donna was a member of First Baptist Church of Gatesville. She was also a member of the Exchange Club of Gatesville and loved donating her time at the Boy’s and Girl’s Resale Shop. Donna could also be found quilting with a group of ladies at Gatesville’s Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Karen Gail McLaughlin Gunter; son-in-law, Patrick James Ralls; granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Ralls; bother, Robert Thomas “Bob” Williams and his wife, Dorothy; and sister, Vanda LaRue Gardener.

Donna is survived by her husband of 65 years, Grady McLaughlin; daughters, Lisa McLaughlin Ralls, Jean McLaughlin Malone and husband, Tommy of Houston, TX and Melba McLaughlin McBride and husband Dan of Houston, TX; son, Rod McLaughlin of Granbury, TX; brother, Earl Williams; son-in-law, Steve Gunter Sr.; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.