March 7, 2023
Ina Paulette Hendrixson McDonald, a long-time resident of Cookeville, died Saturday March 4, in Cookeville after a brief illness. Mrs. McDonald, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend was 77. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo McDonald in 2020.
Mrs. McDonald was raised in Smithville and attended Middle Tennessee State University. Soon after, she began her lifelong commitment to children and education.
Devoted to children with special needs, she spent her entire 38year career working as a Special Education para-professional in the DeKalb County School system. She loved her school children immensely and often said her position was “a blessing not a job”.
A long-time member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church, she later joined the Steven Street Baptist church after living in Cookeville several years. She loved caring for her fur-babies and wildlife on the mini-farm with her husband Cleo. She enjoyed gardening, attending TTU ballgames, keeping up with her grandchildren’s activities, and baking cakes for family birthdays.
Mrs. McDonald was predeceased by her parents, Paul & Ina Mae Tramel Hendrixson of Smithville. She is survived by her daughter, Paula Hendrixson of Atlanta, son Jason Parsley of Panama City Beach, FL: two grandchildren, Justin Yost and Rachel Yost of Atlanta: sister, Tricia (James) Wood of Madison, AL; nieces Stephanie (John) Cooper of Spring Hill, TN, and Sonja (Thomas) Franks of Rogersville, AL and several beloved cousins and across the U.S.
Visitation will be held at DeKalb Funeral Chapel on Saturday, March 11 from 11:00-1:00 followed by the service and burial at Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp in her memory. Paulette spent several summers at the camp taking care of a special girl Ms. Heidi Webb.