Our beloved, Willie Ray Donald, affectionately known as 'Bubba', was born August 6, 1954 in Mobile, AL. He was born to the late Willie and Lillie Mae (Brown) Donald. He was the fourth child of his natural siblings, Eugene & Lillie (deceased), Mary Ellen, and Jerry. After the untimely death of Lillie Mae's brother and his wife, Willie gained sevenadditional sisters and brothers. He accepted Christ at an early age in Mobile, AL at Mt. Olive Baptist Church #2 where he had a host of church family and friends. Willie graduated with honors from Toulminville High School (known as the Home of the Rattlers). He continued his education at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, where he was a founding and charter member of the Eta Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Willie was known to the Kappa's as 'Razor'. He was a member of the original/first line to pledge Kappa at the University of South Alabama, and was initiated in the Spring of 1973. He was later recognized as a charter member when the chapter received its official charter as the Eta Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi May 17,1974. Upon moving to Detroit, Michigan, Willie furthered his education at Wayne State University to study MortuaryScience. He also attended a number of Vocational and Technical Schools. Willie loved learning and continued to take courses to further his education, exploring new ideas and concepts to assist people in special need. Willie moved to Cincinnati, in 1979, and married the love of his life, Gladys Franklin, on September 1st. To this union two children were born, Crystal Willita Donald and Willie Benjamin Donald. Willie joined Greater New Light Baptist Church in 1979 and later united with Revelation Baptist Church in 1981. Willie completed his Apprenticeship with Jamison & Jamison Funeral Home. In 1980, he passed the National Board Exam for embalming and funeral directing. Later, he passed the exam for the State of Ohio in order to receive his licensure. He became a trade embalmer for Jamison & Jamison, and many other funeral homes, for several years. He was also a member of the United Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association. Willie then became the Morgue Supervisor for the Body Donation program at the University of Cincinnati. There, he was an active member of United Black Assocation of Faculty, Administrators, and Staff (UBAFAS), where he championed members' rights. He was an excellent writer, so much so, that it has been said that he could have also been an attorney. In 1997, along with his partners, Willie fulfilled his goal to own and operate his own funeral home business, Donald & Stewart Funeral Home. Because of his love for people, he enjoyed every aspect of his service. Music was his passion, especially vocal shaped-noted singing and directing. From an early age, he has been director of numerous vocal choruses throughout many states. Willie was the president and director for the Cincinnati Vocal Union, president and music director of the Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (aIM) Vocal Singing Convention and musical director of the All-State Vocal Singing Convention in Alabama and Mississippi. In addition, Willie served as director of both Greater New Light Vocal Chorus and Revelation Vocal Chorus. At the time of his passing, Willie served as Music Director of the OIM Singing Convention and Revelation Vocal Chorus. In 2003, he started a vocal choir at Union Baptist Church in Cincinnati. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting with them and sharing his passion of music, even in times of illness. Willie also enjoyed playing Pool, Backgammon, and Chess. He was a very competitive player with family and friends. Despite his illness, Willie maintained a strong spirit and positive attitude. Because of his love for his family and friends, he fought a hard fight. He was called to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Before he departed this life, he prayed with his family and thanked his heavenly father for 'putting his loving arms around me. Thank you for the love and care of my family and friends.' To celebrate his memory: wife, Gladys; two children, Crystal and Benjamin; two Godchildren, Brandon Bond and Angela O'Bryant; nine siblings, Mary Griffin, Frank Brown (Denise), Robert Brown (Brenda), Francine Brown, Brunetta Brown, Michael Brown, Jerry Brown, Jerry Donald (Carol), and DeLois Brown, all who live in Detroit, MI; three uncles, Grant Brown (Mary) of Detroit, MI, Willie Brown of Selma, AL, Aaron Rucker of Carteret, NJ; seven aunts, Hettie Brown of Detroit, MI, Ida Brown of Detroit, MI, Maxine Brown of Mobile, AL, Ann Hoard of Falls Church, VA, Genevieve Baggett of I East Point, MI; Estella Witcher, Betty Baggett, Grace Baggett of Cincinnati, OH, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends, whom he loved dearly. 2 Timothy 4: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. We will always keep your smile, compassion, spirit, music and words of wisdom in our hearts. We hate to see you go, but we know you are with the Lord, which gives us peace. We love you! ~Your Loved Ones Funeral Services at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Revelation Baptist Church with Rev. Darryl Woods officiating. Processional . Musical Selection RMC Mass Choir Old Testament Scripture Clergy New Testament Scripture Clergy Prayer Clergy Musical Selection Vocal Choruses Acknowledgment of Condolences, Resolutions & Telegrams Church Clerk Musical Selection Vocal Choruses Reading of Obituary Crystal Donald, Daughter Remarks (2 minutes please) •Patrick Munnerlyn, Cousin (Denver, CO) •Donald Dees, College Friend (Mobile, AL) •Christopher Robinson, Childhood Friend (Houston, TX) •Patricia Ligon, Cousin (Detroit, MI) •Elder Steven Bester, Friend & Pastor of Mt. Olive Holy Temple (Cincinnati, OH) • Rev. Clarence Glover, Friend, United Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association (Cincinnati, OH) • Clergy Special Remarks w. Benjamin Donald, Son Musical Selection Vocal Choruses Eulogy Pastor Darryl Woods Recessional Vocal Choruses Pallbearers Arthur Brown Christopher Robinson Donald Dees Gregory O'Bryant Imani Fowler Luther Bond Brandon Bond Roosevelt Dillard TironJones Honorary Pallbearers Frank Brown Robert Brown Michael Brown Jerry Brown Jerry Donald Quinn Howard Dewey Baskin Richard V. Stewart United Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association Special thanks for the dedicated medical care given by the doctors and staff at Good Samaritan Hospital Intensive Care Unit & Hemodialysis Unit and also to the staff and nurses at the Home at Hearthstone Nursing Home. 'For The Highest Degree of Professional Service' DONALD & STEWART FUNERAL HOME 3939 Reading Road @ Paddock Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 (513) 961-3900

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