Phyllis Sue Jones McDonald of Dallas, Texas, passed away at her nursing home on July 2, 2026 at the age of 87. Phyllis was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 12, 1938 to Osborne Sales Jones and Dollie Mae Shine Jones, & she grew up on the family farm with her loving parents & 3 older sisters Wanda, Beverly, & Paula; their parents taught them how to raise crops & animals, garden, play baseball, sew, can, & be a great cook & baker. 

After graduating in 1957 from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Phyllis went on to Texas Woman’s University in Denton, majoring in fashion design, & graduated in 1961. She then moved to Dallas to teach school, & she soon met her future husband Daniel Eugene “Gene” McDonald there at her sister’s wedding. They married on June 16, 1962 at Cliff Temple Baptist Church & settled in Oak Cliff, where Phyllis was an art teacher & enjoyed being involved in local civic & charity organizations (Oak Cliff Lions Club, Methodist Hospital Guild, Society of Fine Arts, & church volunteering). After teaching art for 6 years, 

Phyllis became a stay-at-home mom with the arrival of daughter Dena & son Daniel. Phyllis was beautiful, smart, fun, talented, creative, funny, athletic, a dedicated wife & mom, devoted friend, patient teacher, gardener, great tennis player, tennis/softball/soccer/football mom, her kids’ biggest fan, teacher, & a classy lady. Her artistic talent, whether with fashion & costume design, drawing, painting, school projects, & seamstress skills creating prom dresses & Halloween costumes for her kids, was awesome. In her later years, she stayed busy with church, friends, dining out, & traveling with her daughter. 

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, nieces Sherry Baker Wilson, Linda McDonald Baldor, & Pam Lovell, nephews Larry McDonald & Lonnie McDonald, & many cousins. 

She is survived by her 2 children, Dena McDonald & Daniel McDonald (Kristen), niece Susan Baker Green (Gerald), nephew Rob Roy Crook (Michael), nieces Margaret Crook George (Robert), Gail Manning, Carolyn Garcia (Raymond), many cousins, extended family, & friends. 

Visitation will be Friday evening, July 17, 2026, from 5-7 pm at Jeter & Son Funeral Home at 4830 W. Illinois Ave in Dallas, TX

Funeral service will be Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 1 pm at Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Bassett Chapel at 125 Sunset Ave in Dallas near Bishop Arts (it is requested to wear RED, Phyllis’ favorite color, to the service to honor her life).

Graveside following at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas.

We will be gathering after the graveside at La Calle Doce restaurant, 415 W. 12th St in Dallas.