Donald Carter

Donald "Donnie" Carter, born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 14, 1953, passed away on January 7, 2024, to be reunited with his late mother, Zella French, father, Henry Bean, and loved ones. Donnie was one of eight siblings and is survived by his sisters, Sue (Carter) Tokman and Lynda (French) Tabone. His siblings, the late Eddie French, Jean (French) Dugaro, Ricky Carter, Ronald Carter (Donnie's fraternal twin), and Teddy French, also preceded him in death.

Donnie attended Saint Rose and Saint Phillips schools in Detroit during his childhood. As a young adult, he worked various jobs, including Sherwin Williams, one of his favorites! Donnie was always eager to lend a hand wherever he could. After work, Donnie often spent his hard-earned cash indulging in a Mr. C's sub, a bag of penny candy, or a bottle of Pepsi while listening to his favorite record album or 8-track. A bowl of Wonton soup at Woo's on East Warren was a must-visit for him. During the evenings, he and his mother (ma) would spend their time playing bingo at the local bingo hall, one of their favorite pastimes.

Donnie's enthusiasm for holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings was contagious. He was an innocent soul who kept the magic of Santa alive and enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and going trick-or-treating. He loved celebrating his birthday with the unique combination of his sister Sue's homemade apple cake and peppermint ice cream, his favorites! Donnie was a true music lover with a passion for Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Motown music. He could often be found singing and dancing along to his favorite tunes, bringing an infectious energy to any party or gathering.

Donnie shared a home with his sister Sue and brother-in-law Adrian for over two decades, creating countless memories together. One of their favorite pastimes was visiting the MGM casino, where Donnie enjoyed the live entertainment and always seemed to have the upper hand with lady luck. He also enjoyed going for Friday night fish at their favorite local dinner spot.

During his later years, Donnie attended Comprehensive Services for the Developmentally Disabled (CSDD), an experience that was nothing short of amazing. It was more than just a vocational school; it was a community where he felt a sense of belonging. Being a part of CSDD gave Donnie a renewed sense of independence. The yearly talent shows were the highlight of his year!

Donnie was blessed with a loving family who cared for him every step of the way, especially by his three sisters. He was loved and cared for in an indescribable way by his sister, Sue. He enjoyed hanging out with his (late) sister Jeannie, and he loved going for coffee and experiencing his first manicure and pedicure with his sister Lynda. Donnie would often ask his sisters, "Hey, sis, do you want to take a ride and get us a coffee? They will forever cherish this simple request. Another memory is Donnie's love for popcorn. He had a unique way of enjoying his popcorn, always reminding whoever was making it to add fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to the mix. To Donnie, it was the perfect snack!

Donnie's affection grew stronger with each new addition to his family. From nephews and nieces to friends, Donnie's love knew no bounds. He would echo one of his famous lines, "I'm proud about it; yes, I am!" when speaking of his over thirty nieces and nephews. He enjoyed taking road trips to his niece Michelle's house and weekends with his niece Jessica.

Donnie taught us so much about love and the smallest acts of kindness. Donnie's actions may have seemed small to him, but they clearly made a big difference in the lives of everyone who knew him. He (and his Donnieisms) will be forever missed. A memorial to celebrate Donnie's life will be held this spring, with details to be announced soon on the "For the Love of Donnie" Facebook page.