LaVerne Welch McDonald, 78, of West Orange, died Thursday, March 26, 2026, at her home.
The visitation will be on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Tommy Anthony, pastor of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church and Reverend M.K. Marcantel, pastor of Pinehurst Pentecostal Church. An escorted procession to the cemetery will depart the funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Family and friends are invited to join.
Serving as pallbearers will be Troy C. McDonald II, Kyle C. McDonald, Micah Satir, Daniel Veillon, Kenny Marcantel and Bobby Arrington.
Born in DeQuincy, Louisiana on February 28, 1948, LaVerne was a daughter of Georgia (Royer) Welch and Lambert Welch and was a 1966 graduate of DeQuincy High School. She was a long-time resident of West Orange and was an excellent seamstress. LaVerne was a wonderful cook and loved preparing large holiday meals for family and friends. She had worked as a visitation attendant for Claybar Funeral Home and was a member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church.
Ms. Verne was a woman of true sweetness and grace. She carried herself with a gentle spirit, always mindful of others, never wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings and ready to help anyone out with a moments notice. There was a quiet kindness about her that made people feel seen, valued, and loved.
She deeply loved her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. Her family was her heart, and she poured herself into them with devotion and care. She loved and cared for each and every child in her daycare as her own for 30 years. But above all, she loved the Lord. Her faith was the foundation of her life, guiding her words, her actions, and her strength.
Though she was soft in spirit, she was also mighty and strong in ways that truly mattered. Her strength showed in her faith, her love, and the way she lived her life with dignity and compassion.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, grace, and unwavering faith that will not be forgotten.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Gertie and Lambert Welch; sisters, Mildred Marcantel, Bronis Mitchell and Pauline Marcantel; brothers, Loyd Welch and Elton Welch.
She is survived by her husband, Roy Clinton McDonald of West Orange; daughter, Beverley Rena Satir of West Orange; son, Troy Clinton McDonald and his wife, Rosalinda, of Houston; grandchildren, Olivia Satir of Houston, Micah Satir of West Orange, Troy Clinton McDonald II, and his wife, Sarah, of Waco, Kyle Conrad McDonald of Houston, Megan Francis Veillon and her husband, Daniel, of Houston.
The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for their exceptional care and kindness during Ms. Verne’s illness.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.