Donald George Webster
Donald Webster Obituary
Donald George Webster
Mr. Donald George Webster of Atlanta, passed February 22, 2024. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr., NW, Reverend Dr. Andrew Lee Stephens, Jr., Pastor, officiating. Interment, Westview Cemetery. The remains will be placed in state at the church at 10 a.m.
The public viewing will take place on Friday, March 1, 2024 at our chapel from 1 to 6 p.m. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made online to Morehouse College in memory of Alumnus Donald G. Webster at http//:giving.morehouse.edu or mailed to: Morehouse College Office Institutional Advancement. Attn: Tiffani Baker 830 Westview Drive Atlanta, GA 30314. Please be sure to indicate on the memo line "Given in loving memory of Donald G. Webster '51". These services will be recorded and streamed live. Simply click on the link to view the event. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2862064020?omn=98713725607
Donald George Webster was born July 15, 1930 in Buffalo, New York. He was the son
of the late George Foster and Dorothy Oriol. He was adopted by his loving and devoted
parents, Hodges and Clara Foster Webster. In addition to his parents, three sisters,
Doris Ray, Irene Wilson, Margaret Oriol and two brothers, Eugene Webster and Leslie
Webster preceded him in death. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the age of 93,
Donald peacefully transitioned in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving
family.
Donald grew up in Crewe, Virginia, and was educated in its public schools. He excelled
in his academic studies, played basketball and was a member of the boxing team. In
1947, he graduated from the Nottoway Training School. He relocated to Atlanta and
enrolled in his beloved Morehouse College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in 1951.
Soon after graduation Donald received his draft notice and decided to serve his military
time in the Navy. He served his tour of duty aboard the USS Willis A. Lee, which was
anchored in the harbor of Boston, Massachusetts. During one of his weekend trips into
Boston, he met up with a fellow alumnus, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King
who introduced Donald to the love of his life, Isabel Estelle Gates, a law student also at
Boston University.
They returned to Atlanta and were married by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. William E.
Mercer at the Danforth Chapel on Morehouse’s campus, January 1956. From this union
four children were born; Donald Eugene, Jerry Gates, Karen Elaine and Michael
Gregory.
For the next seven years, Donald worked as the Assistant to the Bursar at Morehouse
and Wilson Realty. Although he loved real estate, he felt the need to explore
opportunities in the field for which he was trained and which offered opportunities for
growth as well. He considered pursuing a career with the federal government.
His career began in 1962 working through the ranks to ultimately becoming a Regional
Director at the Department of Labor. As Regional Director of Contracts Compliance, he
was instrumental in helping to level the upward mobility field for females when
supervisors were responsible for selecting the best qualified employee for promotion.
He retired from the federal government in 1988 after serving a year as an Executive on
loan for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.
Donald was a member of Radcliffe Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years. He
loved his Church and diligently supported the mission and programs of Radcliffe. He
was an ordained deacon, a member of the Finance Committee and a member of the
Men of Radcliffe .
During his leisure time, he enjoyed travel with his devoted companion, Brooksie
Cunningham, playing Scrabble, which he often won, dining with other friends, and
bowling. His biggest accomplishment, however, was the time he spent with his family.
Donald leaves to celebrate his memories, his children: Donald Eugene (Susan)
Webster; Jerry Gates (Jeanette) Webster, Karen Elaine Webster (Kenneth) Parks; and
Michael Gregory (Simone) Webster; one grandchild: Tristian Kali Webster (Harold)
Brinkley, one sister, Dr. Nancy Elizabeth Oriol (Jack Morway) and a host of nephews
and nieces who loved him dearly.
Please click the following link to sign the electronic guest registry:
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