03-18-2024  11:14 pm   •   PDX and SEA Weather
By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 08 October 2008

Services for Donald Ray "Big Daddy" Green, Sr., who died Oct. 4, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church.
Donald Ray Green, Sr., "the most charming man on earth," was born to Eula Mae and Ernest Green on Jan. 25, 1960 in Portland. He attended Sabin Elementary, and Grant and Washington High Schools.  Donald was a member of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Dr. OB. Williams.
Donald, affectionately known as "Big Daddy" by his Atlanta grandbabies, was a master of many trades and talents.  Among them he was a master chef, carpenter, barber, athlete and actor.
He was most recently employed as an assistant tour manager with his wife for the late Luther Vandross, with the Essence Music Festival, and various movies filmed on location in Portland. His "15 minutes of fame" included doing voiceovers for the HBO documentary, "Unchained Memories" produced by Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson.  He was the stage manager for the sold out 2008 Vagina Monologues managing an all woman cast.  He was named an honorary "V".
Donald was a triple threat in sports. He excelled in baseball, football and basketball.  His athletic prowess extended to being drafted by the Kansas City Royals baseball team. An injury prevented him from playing with the team.
Donald met LaVerne at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, October 18, 1997. After a world wind courtship, they married December 20, 1997. He accepted the challenge of adopting and raising two talented and headstrong middle school girls Lynnette and Bessie Gabrielle, who happily called him "Dad" and preferred his cooking over his wife's. This blended family included his daughter, Deminika and son Donald Jr.
Donald was preceeded in death by his brother Lawrence Green, uncle Eddie Green, grandmother, Mabel Worship, Uncle Ralph Worship, and grandsons, Miles Springer and Camryn Whittaker and Bob Wack. 
Donald loved the Lord.  He embraced his passion for family and family values.  As husband, father, "Big Daddy," son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, he never lost sight of his love and faith in God.
He leaves to celebrate and cherish his memory the love of his life, his wife of 11 ½ years, LaVerne "Wubby" Green; his parents, Deacon Ernest and Deaconess Eula Mae Green, his spirited children, Deminika, Donald Jr., Randy Marshall (Dee Dee), Gabriel (Natasha), Vernell Springer, Lynnette and Bessie Gabrielle. Grandbabies, Donasha Green, Israel, Xavier, Branden, Randi and Justin Marshall, Kyle, Nicolas, Chelsea and Christian Springer.  Sister, Sandra and brothers, Leslie and Michael (of Portland), and Thomas (Tina) of New Orleans, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters in-laws, extended family, church family and friends who round out the circle of love he always extended.
Arrangements Entrusted By Cox & Cox Funeral Chapel

 

Recently Published by The Skanner News

  • Default
  • Title
  • Date
  • Random

The Skanner Foundation's 38th Annual MLK Breakfast