Donald R. Bolden Sr.

BOLDEN, DONALD R. SR. (AGE 62) OF BRANDYWINE, MD

A true servant of God, Donald Roscoe Bolden Sr., departed this life as he lived it, praising his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Donald was born on December 12, 1947 to the late Reed Augusta and the late Eunice Alverta Bolden Sr. He was raised in Brandywine, Maryland and attended public schools in Prince Georges County where he graduated from Douglas High School in Croom, Maryland in 1966. Donald immediately went into the United States Air Force after graduation and later attended the Bladensburg Barber School, the University of the District of Columbia, computer school and the Free Gospel OBICA Bible College where he majored in biblical studies.

Donald married his high school sweetheart, Mary “Noella” Stevenson on September 30, 1967 and for the past 43 years what they have shared is a true testament of unconditional love and from that love they were blessed with five children Donna, Donald Jr., Cassandra, Craig and Durand.

Donald worked at the post office in Washington, D.C. for 17 years and has been a Master Barber for over 30. He has owned his own shop “Bolden’s Barber Shop” for 22 years and was honored and proud that his three sons, having followed his footsteps, have worked alongside him for many years.

Donald joined Free Gospel Church in 1972 when it was located on 51st & E St. S.E. Washington, D.C., where he served on the Senior and Free Gospelites choir, as an Out Reach Bus Driver, member of the Men’s Ministry, the Free Gospel Drama Ministry and the Financial Board. Until the time of his passing, he was Apostle Ralph E. Green’s personal barber and the longest serving Deacon at Free Gospel. Donald was a dedicated and faithful member who always led by example and encouraged others in their spiritual walk as he was a true and genuine representative of God.

Donald’s pride and joy was his beautiful wife, his children and his grandchildren. His heart’s desire and what he loved doing more than anything was serving God, having bible study with his children, spending time with all his family, cooking out, fishing, tending his yard, working crossword puzzles, surfing the web, listening to his Ipod, taking pictures, bird watching and watching game shows and nature channels.

In addition to his parents, Reed A. Bolden Sr. & Eunice Alverta Bolden, he is preceded in death by his in-laws, William F. Stevenson Sr. & Lelia M. Stevenson, brother Reed A. Bolden Jr., sisters Leatrice Bolden and Virginia Bolden, and brother in law Francis R. Stevenson Jr.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted and virtuous wife, Noella Bolden; children: Donna (Richard), Donald Jr., Cassandra (Christopher), Craig, Durand; grandchildren: Crystal, Samantha, Bryant, No’wella (mother LaKeisha), Chace (mother Christy), Crystal Lee, Jeremiah Brown; sisters: Shirley Onley, Barbara Bolden, Brenda Talley (Otis), Yvette Smith (Leroy), Mary Bates, Renee Moton, Faith Shelton (Ross); brothers: Harry Bolden, Rodney Bolden (Barbaranette); sister-in-law: Agnes “Juanita” Haskins; brothers-in-law: Alvin Thomas Stevenson (Valerie), Edward “Sonny” Carroll (Dearsie). Adopted children: Antonio L. Stevenson, Baron Walden, Mark Wellington, Sean Northington, Patrick Doctor, Ernesto Rodriguez, Saphonia Michelle Butler, Freddie Harvin and Dimitrius Mason. Godchildren: Aaron Ebron, Corey Duppins and Colin Dew.

Special Friends: Apostle Ralph E. Green and Sr. Pastor Shirley M. Green, Charles and Frances Calhoun, Dennis and Millicent Dew, Kelly and Carolyn Ebron, Pastor Cliff Beckford, Randy and Vanesha Prince, Bob and Linda Baker, Stanley and Shiral Smith, Jay Littlejohn and a host of nieces, nephews, and many other extended family and friends. His viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 1st, 9:00am until Home Going Services 11:00am at the Free Gospel Deliverance Temple. Interment will be held in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland. Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD.