Obituary

Donald Ray Brown, Sr.

January 4, 1950 - February 11, 2025

Donald (Zerbo) Ray Brown, Sr. was born January 4, 1950, in New Orleans, LA, to the late Carl Brown, Sr. and Naomi Jefferson-Brown. He departed this life at his home on February 11, 2025.

Don attended and graduated from Central Memorial High School in Bogalusa, LA, in 1969. He excelled in football and baseball and was awarded a full scholarship to Wylie College in Marshall, TX. After a semester in college, he returned home and began working at Crown Zellerbach Papermill. After several years of work at The Mill, he enlisted in the United States Army. Upon his return from Germany, he spent several years working in Dallas, TX, at the Dallas Forth Worth International Airport. He finally returned to Bogalusa, where he joined the US Army Reserve.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Emma Blackburn-Brown, and their son, Donald Ray Brown Jr; his parents, Carl Brown Sr and Naomi Jefferson-Brown; brother Edward Charles Brown; paternal grandparents, Hollis Brown, Nancy Brown-Chapman; maternal grandparents, Thomas Harvey Jefferson Sr. and Zena Beckham-Jefferson.

He leaves to cherish his memories son Anthony and David Watterson (Houston, TX); grand and great-grandchildren David Jr, Damari, Michelle, Leandria, Anthony Jr, Davion, his siblings, Carl Brown Jr, (Baton Rouge, LA), Douglas (Pam)Brown (Allen, TX), Jannifer Brown-Guillory (Baton Rouge, LA) and Reginald (Nelma) Brown (Baton Rouge, LA) and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Paul A.M.E. Church Bogalusa, LA 70427.

Crain and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.