Agnes "Elaine" McDonald, Greenwood, IN, passed peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, October 16, 2025. She lived a very blessed life of 81 years. She went to Macon County High School in Lafayette, TN where she was involved in many activities including 4-H, basketball, cheerleading, and drama. Elaine went to Middle Tennessee State University and was on the rifle and swim teams and the Women's Athletic Association. She married the boy who played her husband in the high school play, Samuel Lee McDonald on June 27, 1964. Sam and Elaine enjoyed 61 happy years of marriage. Their two daughters, Melissa Lynn McDonald and Janna Kay McDonald, of Greenwood, IN, love them dearly. The couple also lived in Indianapolis, IN; Rocky Mount, NC; and Charleston, SC before moving back to Indiana in 2003. Elaine is also survived by her sister, Jennie Evetts Watson and nephew Brian Ashley Jenkins, both of Lafayette, TN who made a trip to visit Elaine and her family just days before her passing.
Elaine is preceded in death by her mother and father, Lucy Dee McCormack Evetts (Apr 22, 2006) and James William Evetts (Oct 8, 1970), and her parents-in-law, Versie Virginia Anderson McDonald (Aug 27, 2005) and Hollis Corbin McDonald (Mar 1, 2006).
Elaine was a wonderful mother to Melissa and Janna, raising them at home and teaching them so much throughout her life. She worked in human resources at International Harvester in Indianapolis before the kids were born and then worked a short time at Indiana Bell when the girls were older. She was amazingly creative as an artist in drawing, painting, poetry, basket-making, cross-stitch, sewing, and a wonderful cook! Being naturally inquisitive, she was knowledgeable on many topics, making her a very interesting conversationalist. She saw beauty in nature and everyday things and had a way of sharing that beauty and her joy with everyone in her life and even strangers. She had such a welcoming and loving nature that drew people to her as they felt loved and comforted by her presence. Part of this was her simply being her, but part of it was the Lord's light shining from her very being. She spoke often of her salvation as a young girl and shared her love of the Lord with many throughout her life. She loved her church family at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Her year-long battle with ovarian cancer was a hard journey, but she spread joy and brightened the minds and hearts of many wonderful people along the way. Her family and friends are so thankful to have had her in their lives. She will be greatly missed.
The visitation for Elaine will be on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. There will be an hour of visitation on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral service will be on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 11:00am. Burial will immediately follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests that donations be sent to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 222 E Epler Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46227.