Donna Jean Carswell

Donna Jean Carswell was the only child born to Willie Coleman and Lafeeka Afzal on M ay 7, 1937. After her mother’s accidental death when she was approximat ely 5 years old, she was adopted by her now deceased grandparents, Willie Trou tman and Muneera Afzal. Donna first attended school in Ashtabula County, but eventually transferred to the Cleveland Public School District to continue her education. In 1957, Donna joined Harold Carswell in Holy matrimony, and to this union five children were born: Damaris (Deceased), Pamela, Harold Jr – Stuffy (Deceased), and twins, Kevin and Kim (Deceased). Donna was a hard worker and knew how to hold a job. She worked at S. S. Kresge Company, Bobby Brooks, and she retired from Brown & Gauge. After retirement, Donna was bored, so she went back to work at the Salvation Army serving the public as the “Proper Receptionist.” Donna was a member of The Birthday Club, the East 154th Street Club, and she loved traveling. Her greatest passion was interior decorating and buying gifts at Christmas for grandchildren –they were some of the luckiest grands in the world! Before leaving this earth, know that Donna did confess the name of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Anyone who knew Donna Jean knows you always got the truth and nothing but the truth if you invited her into your conversation or situation. She did not mind ever telling you what she thought or felt, and on the contrary, she was just a phone call away and the go to person in any time of need where she showed a great deal of compassion for you. She had a special gift for making things happen, but it had to be in her own way. She enjoyed cooking, and often worked parties as a caterer with some of her closest friends. If you ever hung out with her, she’d keep you laughing to tears with her blunt and colorful comments. Donna Jean Carswell was an amazing woman and thank God for her amazing daughter, Pamela, who provided remarkable care to her during her declining years. The love and dedicated care Pam gave sustained Donna with a good and quality life until her death. Your mother loved you, and she was indeed grateful for all you gave.

She is preceded in death by her parents Willie Coleman (Father), Lafeeka Afzal (Mother), grandparents Willie Troutman and Muneera Afzal, and brothers, Jumal Afzal and Willie (Bubba) Troutman and sister Kareema Darby. She will be missed but will live in our heart forever, and leaves to mourn Earvin Coleman (Brother), two children: Pamela, and Kevin; grandchildren: Jasmyne, Ashlely, Kevin Jr., Danielle, John Jr., Bianca, Zavier, Dominique, Syeda, Kavon, Kamyrn, Kevin, two daughters-in-law: Terri Carswell and Tonya Barker, great-grandchildren: Mahlan, Tarvez Jr., Riley, Aryson, Ava, Amir, Talia and Kashton and a host of family, friends, others too numerous to name. We pray that God’s love and peace lay over your spirit forever and ever - Amen.