Funeral services for Ms. Donaldson will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Lees, South Carolina. Interment services will follow immediately in the church cemetery. Viewing for the public will be held on Thursday from 12:00 noon- 8:00 pm at the funeral home.


Ms. Lou Ella Donaldson was born on March 7, 1921 to the late Arthur Donaldson and Mittie Donaldson Johnson. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher Board for forty plus years and was the custodian. She was a faithful member of the Sisterhood and Missionary. Lou Ella was an honorary member of Together Sisters Club, member of the NAACP, former Ladies Auxiliary Post 253 and a faithful participant at the Golden Retreat Senior Center.

Lou Ella was preceded in death by two sons, Freddie Donaldson and Arthur Donaldson.

She leaves to cherish her memory—3 daughters: Lessie Donaldson, Essie (Edward) Smalls and Barbara (Dwayne) Black; 3 adopted daughters: Bobby Jean O'Neal, Queenie Byars and Georgia Gilmore; 13 grands, 22 great grands and 3 great-great grands; special ladies: Mrs. Ada Felton, Mrs. Johnell Reed, Mrs. Beatrice Thomas, Mrs. Annie L. Washington and Mrs. Mary Holman; special cousin who helped so much, Mrs. Mae Williams and numerous children she raised as her own.