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Billie Ruth McCarty McDonald passed away peacefully at her home in Lawton on Saturday, July 7, 2018. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist East in Lawton at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12 where she worshiped since returning to Lawton in 1995. Tim Martin will be officiating. Visitation will be held at Whinery-Huddleston Funeral home Wednesday, July 11 from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be streamed live at 2 p.m. Central Time via the First Baptist East website firstbaptisteast.com.
Billie Ruth was born on December 23, 1931, in Apache to Delbert and Julia McCarty. She stayed in Apache where she graduated high school. She worked in the family grocery store where she learned her exemplary work ethic.
She married Arnold Ray McDonald December 29, 1951. They had four children. They also fostered several children.
Billie received her B.S. in elementary education in January 1964 and her M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma in 1968. She taught at Geronimo Road School at Ft. Sill, Garfield, MacArthur High School and Wilson Elementary School in Lawton and served as the high school counselor at Apache from 1969-1976.
She retired from teaching in 1987 and became a volunteer missionary serving in Paraguay, Singapore, China, American Samoa, Michigan, California and several churches in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas, including Pala Indian Reservation near Escondido, CA. She taught Bible studies at GEO Correctional Facility, Cambridge Apartments and was a volunteer in the Hearts That Care Clinic for individuals without medical insurance.
Billie had a positive influence on numerous people throughout the world. She was known to feed and clothe the homeless often out of the trunk of her car and in many questionable neighborhoods. She believed the Scripture "To whom much is given, much is required".
She is survived by her children: Debbie Doyle and husband Mike, Elgin, Robert McDonald, San Diego, CA, Kim McDonald, Lawton, and Tim and wife Sheila of Franklin, MA. Grandchildren Erin Petrotta and husband Brian, Dustin Smith and wife Lacey, Carrie Jansen and husband Bailey, Steven Doyle, Katherine and Rachel McDonald, and Sandra Wright. Great grandchildren Makenzie and Brendan Smith, McKenzie and Kaitley Mullendore, Cameron and Dominic Petrotta, Ashlyn Parrish, Serenity Johnson and Levi Wright. Her sister Evelyn John and husband Don.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Marvin, Irwin, Pete and sisters Pauline Tooman, Louise Moydell and Bettye Harrison.
Sympathy donations may be made to:
The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma
for Baptist Homes for Children (bfok.org)
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (omrf.org)
St. Judes Children's Hospital (stjude.org)
Operations Smile (www.operationsmile.org)
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