Mary Frances Cousin McDonald, was born on June 11, 1940 at Charity Hospital in New Orleans to Marguerite and Charley Cousin, Sr. She grew up in the Bayou Paquet area of Slidell Louisiana in St. Tammany Parish, where she attended elementary through high school, graduating from St. Tammany High School. Her family attended Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior as a young girl and was baptized in the bayou by the late Rev. C.C. Edgerson.

Mary Frances was united in holy matrimony to Frank McDonald,II. She had two beautiful children, Frank McDonald,III and Ebony Anika McDonald. Mary Frances and Frank, II moved north to Detroit, Michigan a couple of years after marriage. However, it was not long after relocation that she became a single mom with only a few family members in the area to help. This only made Mary Frances stronger and more determined to provide for her family as she leaned on her Heavenly Father to guide and direct her path.

Mary Frances went on to find stable employment at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan where she worked as a Customer Service Representative and Supervisor for 37 years before retiring in 2006. Before becoming a supervisor, she was overlooked for the role many times because she did not have a 4-year college degree. So, while working full-time and raising two children (one in college and the other in private school), she mustered the strength and made the financial sacrifice to put herself through college. On May 6, 1986, she graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. If you knew Mary Frances, you knew that she always had a side business as well! Some of her ventures included Amway, Lady Remington (Lia Sophia), Melaleuca, and AIM Health Products.

Although all of the aforementioned achievements are amazing, Mary Frances would tell you that it would have been impossible without the goodness and faithfulness of God. She lived her faith boldly and unapologetically. She grew exponentially in her relationship with God when she began attending New Creation Christian Center.

Later, she moved to Word of Faith International Christian Center after her children fell in love with the youth and children ministries. She said, "We're too small of a family to go to separate churches." As Mary Frances was never one to sit on the sidelines, she quickly became involved, serving as a greeter and comforter for more than 20 years. She also served on the Outreach Team – hitting the streets to tell people about Jesus. In fact, when most retired people would have slowed down, she became more involved in ministry and philanthropic service working countless hours to raise money for March of Dimes. In her 70s, she joined Incarcerated Youth Ministries, where twice a month she went to the youth detention centers in Detroit and Highland Park to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The young people respected her sincerity, her sweet spirit, and authenticity. And because of that, she had an influence on them turning their lives around and finding hope in God's everlasting, forgiving love.

Mary Frances was a worshipper and a giver. She loved God with all of her heart, mind, and strength. She lived her life to please Him and took her charge as a mother seriously. She made sure to raise her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind will serve as an example to many and a sealed testimony of God's goodness.

Mary Frances Cousin McDonald fought the good fight, finished her race, and kept the faith. She passes on the baton to her family and friends to do the same! She will be forever remembered and cherished by her two children: Frank, III (Debby) and Ebony Anika, her grandchildren: Kyle Anthony, Cierra Lauren, and Halley Marin, her sisters: Alma Jean and Donna Lynn (Bruce), her nieces and nephews: Ronald, Donald, Leslie, Lisa, LaKeisha, James, Jacob, and Andra, her friend and companion: Mr. Nathaniel Reynolds, her temporary caregiver and long-time friend: Nyla Perrin, and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends that were like family. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother: Charley, Jr. and nephews: Darryl and Carrie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 34038 Elks Rd, Slidell, La. 70460 on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 10:00am.

Visitation at the church on Saturday after 9:00 A.M. until funeral time.

Interment will follow in FOREST LAWN CEMETERY.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation in Mary Frances' name to her niece's fundraising team:

2022 Walk to End Alzheimer's at:

https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=15605&pg=personal&px=18879244

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.