Donald "PopPop" Queen

OBITUARY “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Donald Weldon Queen, affectionately known as PopPop, Don, and Daddy Queen, was the sixth of nine children born to Asa and Matilda Estelle Hines Queen, in the community of Queenstown, Severn, Maryland on January 13, 1928. His parents instilled in him a devout love for Christ which he carried with him throughout his life. At the time, Severn was a small rural community where Donald grew up playing with his brothers and helping his father tend the fields. His green thumb extended through life as Donald would later grow vegetables for his own family and tomatoes into his final decade. In the 1930s, Donald attended the “Negro” schools. He received his elementary education at Queenstown School and went on to graduate from Wiley H. Bates High School in 1944. Bates was an incubator for thousands of African American achievers in twentieth century Anne Arundel County. Donald cultivated many lifetime relationships while in the halls of Bates. After graduation, he drove a school bus for his Uncle Arthur, who operated Queen’s Bus Service. Following in the footsteps of his brother Gilford, Donald enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1946. He completed his first enlistment in January 1949 and re-enlisted the following month. During his time with the Air Force, Donald served at Sheppard AFB in Texas, Lowry AFB in Colorado, Langley AFB in Virginia, and Lockbourne AFB in Ohio. While touring at Lockbourne AFB, Donald became a Tuskegee Airman. During his second stint in service, he served at Westover AFB in Massachusetts, Prestwick, Scotland, and Boling AFB in Washington, DC. He was honorably discharged in October 1952, after achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. While serving in the Air Force as a Chaplain’s Assistant, Donald developed clerical and typing skills. When asked, he would proudly roll off that he served his country, “6 years, 8 months, and 24 days.” After returning home from the service, Donald drove a dump truck for Sass Brothers before beginning his career with Davidson Transfer and Storage from February 1953 where he stayed until January 1981, when the company closed. After the shut-down, as a member of Teamsters Local #557, he worked from the union hall to qualify for full retirement. After retiring, he worked as a courier for Maryland National Bank and Nyquist Paints. On November 14, 1953, Donald married his friend and soulmate, Hazel Naomi Warren. They were a couple to be admired and truly complimented each other. Their union was blessed with two children, Donna Renee, and Daryl Warren. After thirty years of marriage, Hazel passed in 1984. In 1991, Donald married Esther Mundell Thomas. With Esther, “Mr. Donald” also took an affinity to his stepchildren Bonita, Pat, Frank, Francine, and Anthony. Donald and Esther spent fourteen wedded years enjoying retirement, traveling, and spending time with friends and family until Esther died in 2005. In later years, people would ask him if he would ever marry again, and his reply was always the same, “I’ve been blessed to have had two good wives, so I don’t think I’ll ever marry again,” though he would also comment that he liked to go out on occasion with “someone that smelled good.” Donald was a God-fearing man, working diligently for the Lord. He actively served at St. Mark United Methodist Church as Church Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Usher, and member of the Bus Committee, Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee, Cemetery Committee, Finance Committee, Health and Welfare Committee, and United Methodist Men. Upon relocation to Georgia, he continued to assist as a Sunday School Teacher and Usher at Vision’s Selah Church. When he returned home to St. Mark, he could be found teaching Sunday School, ushering, and assisting with counting the offering. While living in Georgia, Donald remained a faithful member of the Severn Improvement Association, of which he previously served as President, and was honored in 2019 for his service. Donald was a member of Landmark Lodge #40 of the Free and Accepted Masons for over sixty years and formerly served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge. In 2005, at the age of seventy-seven, Donald did the unthinkable, packing all his belongings (including his trusty typewriter) and relocating to Decatur, Georgia, so that he could experience full time “the joys of being PopPop.” Though he was initially reluctant to change a diaper, he soon found it as easy as riding a bike, and would often keep Sydney, Sean, and Kelsey. PopPop was the kid’s primary afternoon transport service as he drove between schools rounding up his grands. Often, he would make sure to have a “cold drink” to give them after a long day at school. After a lifetime in Maryland, Donald took to Georgia like a duck to water. He was well known in Poplar Springs subdivision as he greeted everyone with, “I’m from Maryland, where are you from?” It seemed like everyone at Walmart, Kroger and Chick-fil-A knew him too as “the man with the kind face” and would make sure he got every discount due to him. Always a family man, Donald grew close to his daughter-in-law’s Warner and Alexander families. Maryland was always close to his heart as he travelled “home” regularly to participate in Usher Day, Queenstown Day or to pay tribute to his many friends that proceeded him in death. Even in his nineties, Donald’s mind was sharp as he would duel his sister, Phyllis, each day to see who had completed the newspaper Jumble puzzle. In June 2020, following a series of neurological events, Donald went into the hospital for observation. While there, he had a major medical event that led to his heart stopping and him being pronounced dead. With God by his side, Donald overcame death and revived after 10 minutes. Though he battled the loss and confusion that comes with severe dementia for over two years, he always had a way of showing that the old Donald was still with us. All you had to do was ask, “PopPop, are you handsome?” and with an air of assurance, his response would always be, “Yes, I’m handsome!” His love for those closest to him extended past his memory, as he would nod along as he was read cards from longtime friends Carrie Miller, Katherine Potts, Harry Matthews and Wilson and Emma Hebron. Finally, on Tuesday morning, December 27, 2022, he joined his Father in heaven. He forgot to take his cap, but where he was headed, a new wardrobe awaited. Preceding him in death were his wives Hazel Naomi Warren Queen and Esther Virginia Mundell Thomas Queen; his parents Asa and Matilda Estelle Queen; and seven siblings: Jestine Queen Gaither, Charles Queen, U. Arbutus Queen Johnson Matthews, Gilford Queen, Gwendolyn Queen Pindell, Phyllis Queen Matthews, and Jean Queen Goode. Donald leaves to cherish his memory two loving children: Donna R. Queen-Williams and Daryl W. Queen (Shaveanda); five stepchildren: Bonita Phinney, Patricia Thomas, Frank Thomas (Connie), Francine Chin and Anthony Thomas; three grandchildren: Sydney, Sean, and Kelsey Queen, and many step grand and great step grandkids; his dear baby sister, Dr. Eleanor Queen Tignor (Gregory), and beloved sister-in-law, Muriel Queen. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, godsons (Ronald Burton and Gerard Hebron), and a host of other relatives and friends. “Your presence we miss, your memories we treasure, loving you always, forgetting you never.”

Tributes

Donald "PopPop" Queen

January 13, 1928 - December 27, 2022