Veranese Thomas McDonald was born March 27, 1950 in Montgomery, Alabama to Fred B. Thomas Sr. and Izetta Robinson Thomas. She was their first daughter and second oldest of seven children.
Veranese was a graduate of St. Jude Educational Institute and received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Huntingdon College. While she was a student at St. Jude, she met her future husband Dwight C. McDonald. Their union produced five outstanding boys who were their pride and joy.
Affectionately called “Neesie”, Veranese was a selfless, well-prepared, and unrelenting servant of God. Even in her youth, she always cared for those around her and she found fulfillment in her roles as a daughter and big sister. As an adult, she developed her passion for teaching and nurturing students. She would go on to serve the Montgomery Public School System as a teacher for 29 years. She then served another 15 years as a principal and teacher for Resurrection Catholic School.
A devoted Christian and Catholic, Veranese was a true servant for Christ. She served her church, Resurrection Catholic Church, in many roles including: teaching Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), CCD administrator (Sunday school), and conducting first communion and baptism preparation classes. One of her latest efforts was helping to establish the Historically Black Catholic Elementary Schools (HBCES) organization.
Veranese was preceded in death by her father Fred Thomas, Sr., her husband, Dwight C. McDonald, her oldest brother Freddie Thomas Jr., grandparents Isaac and Mary Robinson, mother-in-law Estella Joe Williams, brother-in-law Edward Graham Jr., and great nephew Kyle Hood.
On the morning of January 15, 2020, Veranese answered God’s call to serve in Heaven. She will be cherished and remembered by her five sons: Shawn (Mychele) McDonald, Marques Rashard (Melissa) McDonald, Justin (Mia) McDonald, Lyndell (LeNá) McDonald, and Michael McDonald; affectionately known as “Nana” to her grandchildren: Janae (Melanie), JaQuez (Tyronice), Haley, Kenneth, Kennedy, Hannah, Ryleigh, Jordyn, Kaiden, and Kayla; granddogs: Ollie, Leggs, and Lytle; loving mother: Izetta Thomas; sisters: Vonzetta Graham, Linda (John) Carpenter, Felicia Thomas (Alvin Wigfall), and Virden Thomas; brothers: Dwight (Janice) Thomas, and Anthony (Monique) Thomas, Sr.; nieces and nephews: Tiffany, Angela (DeWayne), Alexis (Tommie), Kristy (Brian), Katrina (Michael), Derek (Meosha), Kimberly (Fred), Brandon (Ayla), Portia, Erica (Charleston), Marcus, Jason, Jessica, Asia (Aaron), Nia, and Anthony Jr.; special great nieces and nephews: Kendale (Jessica), Kyla, Alexandria, and Charlotte; a host of other family members, her students and her Resurrection Catholic Church family.
We here at Resurrection will never forget the indelible mark our beloved Vera has left on our Mission’s parishioners, staff, alumni, supporters, and initiatives. Because of her service and dedication to Resurrection and the education of its young people, we will name our school’s library after her – ensuring that her memory lives on here for many years to come.
In lieu of flowers or other gestures, the family of Veranese Thomas McDonald has requested donations be made to HBCES in her memory either in person or by clicking here.