Bertha Clay Donaldson

Bertha Jean Donaldson, 95, peacefully passed away on January 8, 2024. She was born on January 24, 1928 to Jean Baptiste Clay Jr. and Leona Granger Clay.

Bertha graduated from McNeese State University with an associate degree in accounting. She was the first female to hold a supervisory position in accounting at Cities Service (Citgo) where she worked for 33 years.

Bertha was a devout Catholic and was a member of the Alter Society. She was a loving mother and grandmother “Mimi”. She loved gardening and there was not a weed that could hide from her.

Bertha “Bert/Mimi” will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She is survived by her daughter, Gloria Jean “Jeanie” LaFleur (Keith). She also leaves behind beloved grandchildren, Douglas LaFleur (Andrea), Danielle Ransburgh (Christopher), Deidre Hillman (Alex), and Danny Barlow (Brandi); great grandchildren, Dean LaFleur (Alyssa), John Alex Reid, Katelyn Fontenot (Mike), Caitlan Williams, Julian McCloud, Payton Louis Williams, Christian McCloud, Braxton McCloud, Jaxton Ransburgh, Charolette Ransburgh, Madeline Ransburgh; and great great grandchildren, Lydia Fontenot, Stetson LaFleur, and Miles Fontenot.

Bertha was preceded in death by her father and mother, Jean Baptiste Clay, Jr. and Leona Granger Clay; husband, Louis “L.V.” Donaldson; sons, Clay Midkiff and John Thurman Midkiff; daughter, Theresa Midkiff; and grandsons, Derrick and Jody Barlow.

Bertha Jean Donaldson, also known as Bert and Mimi by all that loved her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 935 Bilbo St., in Lake Charles. Father Jeffrey Starkovich will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Garden Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at the funeral home on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM and will continue until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning in the funeral home at 8:30 AM and will continue until leaving in procession to the church at 9:30 AM.