Elizabeth “Dee” McDonald

Elizabeth Dionne McDonald, affectionately known as Dee or Liz, was born in Waterloo, Iowa on June 16, 1975 to the parents of Valerie McDonald and Augustus Gilmore. Dee departed this life on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Mercy One Medical Center with her loving mother by her side at age 48.

Dee accepted Christ at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church. She later graduated from Waterloo West High in 1993. Following her graduation she attended Hawkeye Community College before relocating to Detroit, Michigan in September of 1997. While In Detroit, Liz worked for the Detroit Public Library in various other roles. She was married, later divorced, and to this union she brought the two loves of her life into this world, Develle and DeJuan. She returned to Waterloo, Iowa in 2007 with her two Boys to Men by her side. Once she returned to Waterloo she began employment at Ocwen until their closing. Liz later became employed at Cuna Mutual in DATE where she developed many great friendships. Liz was known for her affectionate joy and her commitment to leadership and quality.

Although a Wahawk graduate Dee was a Trojan at heart. She showed up and supported in a fanatical and loving way. She never missed her boys tournaments, games, or events and was always present ready to support in whichever way she could. This was not only for sports or her own children, but all events that she was invited to from family, friends, and the

community. Everyone was ready for her to arrive because they knew the vocal support they would get.

Dee was known for her passionate character and dedication to her community. She was seen serving in various capacities in true Dee fashion. Dee ushered at every NAACP and Martin Luther King Jr. banquets. She was also a chair for the DIVAS (Divine, Intelligent, Victorious, Inspiring Sister) organiza-tion. She volunteered for the Trojan Booster Club, IMPACTT Foundation, Mayor's Basketball League, Loo League, and practically anywhere she was needed. Dee was a devoted member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church until she transitioned to Hope City Church. Dee's resonated love and passion for all will be truly missed.

However, her first love was her boys, only second to God. All who knew her understood that her Boys to Men were her greatest accomplishment and her true purpose in life. Raising them to be successful, mannerable, honorable young black men was her biggest goal.

Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memories, her parents; her sons DJ and Juannie; her siblings Timina (Miquan) Micou, Anthony "AJ" Taylor all of Waterloo, Iowa, Augustus Gilmore IV. of Atlanta, GA; her nieces Jayla and Aubree Micou and one nephew Mileek Micou all of Waterloo, Iowa; aunts Iris Rene Anderson, Annie Gilmore both of Waterloo, Iowa and Tina Anderson of South Carolina, special great aunts RaeDeanne (Charles) Humphries and Edrick Roberts all of Waterloo, Iowa; uncle Keith James and special great uncle Willie Prymer; and a host of family and friends.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents SamElla McDonald and Carl McDonald ; paternal grandparents Minnie Mae Montgomery Gilmore and Augustus Gilmore, Jr; ma-ternal uncle Kirk McDonald; and many other loved ones.

Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Locke on 4th, 1519 West Fourth St., Waterloo.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Hope City Church, 118 High St, Waterloo. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery-Waterloo.