Katy Lou Hicks Donaldson

Katy Lou Hicks Donaldson, 89, died Monday, November 26, 2012, in a local care facility.

Born on September 29, 1923 in Woodville, Texas to Jackson Chester Hicks and Martha Kathryn Mattie Coward Hicks, Mrs. Donaldson was a graduate of Spurger High School in Spurger, Texas. After graduation, she talked her parents into letting her move to Houston, Texas and was chaperoned by her brother, J. C. She soon met and fell in love with her later-to-be husband, Ray.

Mrs. Donaldson had a great gift of being able to talk to anyone and make them feel at ease. She also sang all the time, especially while at The Gardens and Resthaven. She was told she sang like an angel and is now singing with all the angels in Heaven and praising Jesus for all He has done. Katy became a Christian in 1956 and loved serving the Lord in Cradle Roll and Vacation Bible School at her church home, Trinity Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Shriners and an Eastern Star. She delighted in encouraging her daughters in Rainbow Girls and Gatorettes and other high school activities as a LaGrange Band Booster, as well as attending her sons' ball games and club activities. Mrs. Donaldson loved to cook for her family and was a faithful homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by five children, Martha Sumrall and husband Tom, Carolyn Donaldson, Charles Donaldson and wife Emily, Wanda Gaspard and husband Perry, and Gary Donaldson; brother, Lockalee Hicks and wife Billie; sister, Ann Lambert and husband Jim; grandchildren, Mike Scott and wife Charlotte, Julie Cooper and husband John, David Scott, John Heyd, Katharine, and Dylan Veron, Elisa Oakley and husband Jared, Tray Donaldson and wife Kayla, and Gabriel Krajicek and wife Beth Anne; and great-grandchildren, Grace Anne and Michael Scott, Harrison, Bonnie, Anna Cathryn and Zoe' Cooper, Callie and Madi Scott, Joseph, Luke, Sam and Jude Oakley, Charlie, Coleton and Cooper Donaldson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 42 years, C. Ray Donaldson; brothers, James, J. C., and Johnny Hicks; sister, Rena Chapman; and great grandson, Levi Oakley.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at Johnson Funeral Home. Pastor Steve James will officiate. Interment will be at Prien Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11 a.m. until service time.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the compassionate care given their mother to Dr. Ron Lewis and to the staff of The Gardens and Resthaven Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1585, Lake Charles, LA 70629 or to the Alzheimers Association, 3717 Government Street, Suite 7, Alexandria, LA 71302.