Obituary of John Abraham Donaldson, Sr.

John (Abraham) Donaldson Sr. was born to Theodore and Rosanna Donaldson, in Baltimore, Maryland on November 10, 1931. Abraham's mother, Rosanna, died when he was just a toddler, so he and his brother, Theodore, were relocated to live with her family in Jacksonville, Florida. Upon Abraham's graduation from Stanton Senior High School, in January of 1949, the brothers returned to live with their father in Baltimore. In April of that same year, Abraham joined the United States armed forces, serving in the Air Force where he attained the rank of sergeant. After receiving an honorable discharge, John attended Howard University in Washington DC. While at Howard, John Donaldson met Zenesta Gregory, who became his first wife. Out of this union, son John and daughter, Jeanette, were born. John Sr. became a civil servant, who worked at the United States Post Office in Baltimore, Maryland. His had a long, successful career and moved into the upper administrative ranks of the Federal Postal System. It was during this time, John met Janice Junior and committed to a life together with her and her sons, Dale and Eric. They were married in Columbia, Maryland, in October of 1974 and they remained husband and wife for almost 46 years, until their lives ended, suddenly,in the summer of 2020. John died shortly after Janice passed, on July 12, 2020. John was an active member of Union Baptist Church, on Druid Hill Avenue, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a long-time member of several church organizations. His favorite ministries were the Trustee Board, the Usher Board, and the Dime Circle. It was in service to these activities that John remained faithful until health issues would not allow him to continue. On July 12, 2020, John A. Donaldson Sr. laid down his burden and left this troubled Earth behind to be one with the Alpha and the Omega. He is survived by son, John, daughter, Jeanette, son in law, Clifton Coleman, step sons Eric and Dale Junior, grandchildren: Clifton Isaac, Christian, John Emanuel, Vernon, Derrick, Brittany, Jeffrey, Jernell, Kevin, Johnathan, Shawn, Darius, great granddaughter, Amaya Archer, and a host of cousins, friends, and well-wishers.