Carla Lynn McDonald

Carla Lynn Foster McDonald, age 75, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on June 22, 2026.

She was born on July 26, 1951 in Rock Island, Illinois to Wesley Foster & Helen Laugherty.

Carla grew up in the Quad Cities in Illinois, graduating from Rock Island High School in 1969, and going on to attend York College in York, Nebraska. She met and married Steven McDonald in 1975 and spent the early years of their marriage stationed overseas in Germany and Colorado Springs, Colorado with the United States Air Force, assisting in missionary work in Austria. They also blessed the lives of many through the ministry of foster care, until the adoption of their beloved twin sons Paul and David in 1982. She was a loving mother and homemaker, and also a published author through Caravan Ministries, writing a bible study “A Study of the Names of God”, for the Abilene Mission Church congregation in 1994. Carla’s true heart’s delight was in service to her Heavenly Father. She spent her life in selfless service to others, working as the receptionist and devoted member at Highland Church of Christ for 12 years and volunteering at Loving Care Ministries. She had so many people that loved her, but a specific group of friends from her ladies bible class: Melanie Savage, Debbie Rhodes and Holly Allen were her special, most cherished friends and sisters in Christ, and her greatest support over the years. She was a great lover of animals as well; she loved her cats and her “grand-dogs”.

She is survived by her loving partner Steven McDonald and her beloved twin sons, Paul and David McDonald of Abilene, nieces Kristina and Elizabeth, nephews Michael, John and Daniel, seven great nephews, one great niece, three great great nieces and one great great nephew.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her beloved sister Myrna Foster, her great nephew Jonas Foster and great-great niece Sylvie Ryan and her special friend, Bill Nash.

A visitation will be held Friday June 26th, 2026 at 9:00 am with a service to begin at 10:00 am both in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.  A graveside service will be held at the Iberis Cemetery.