On February 2, 1944, GOD, in His infinite wisdom, blessed the late George W. Beavers and Ida Mae Chambers Beavers of Warren, Arkansas (AR), with their 11th and last child: Donald Ervin Beavers. Like his older siblings, he confessed his devotion to GOD at an early age and was baptized at the family's home church, Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Warren, Arkansas.
Donald attended Bradley County School (K-12) in Warren, Arkansas, where he played on the varsity basketball team and graduated in 1962. He furthered his education, like his sisters: Francine, Mollie Faye, Fredda and Dorothy, by attending Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical and Normal (AM&N) College in Pine Bluff, AR, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR (UAPB). Over the summer of 1965, he visited his sisters: Irma Beavers Henry, LaVern Beavers Ware and Maude Beavers Barker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and took a temporary job at Borden's Dairy Products. Before the summer ended he was offered a supervisory position to remain at Borden's; he accepted and thereby lost his college draft exemption. In 1966, Don was drafted by the United States Army and served in Germany as a Corpsmen-Medic. In 1968, he was honorably discharged and returned to Arkansas AM&N College, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in 1971; majoring in History, Political Science and Education.
After graduation, Donald moved north to Chicago, Illinois, following his brother George C. Beavers Sr., and sisters: Jacquelyn Beavers Ford and Mollie Faye Beavers DeNye. There he gained permanent employment with the Chicago Board of Education, like big sister Mollie Faye. After living with Mollie Faye and her husband, he moved into Chicago's iconic Marina Towers, a famous landmark high-rise condominium community which has been featured in many Hollywood blockbuster movies. Don taught Special Education at Chicago's Tilden College Preparatory High School. While teaching, he continued his educational pursuits and earned his Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois - Chicago. Thereafter, he was named Chairman of the Department of Special Education at Tilden. Don retired from teaching in 2010, but he never retired from the love of politics; and was elated to witness the election of Barack H. Obama, as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Donald was an avid reader, a history buff, a movie lover, a political analysis, a dancer and music lover, a confirmed bachelor, a lover of fine dining and Southern cooking from the kitchens of all of his sisters. One of his favorite authors was Erich von Daniken, ‘Chariots of the Gods?’ which probably led to his fascination with all things science fiction; he owned the entire DVD collection of the television series, 'Stargate SG-1'. He was also a "Trekee" due to his love of the TV classic, 'Star Trek'. Don always bragged that he was "Old School and proud of it." If he was not watching classic TV dramas such as 'Perry Mason', 'Columbo', ‘Law and Order', etc., he was listening to classic Motown music; he was a big fan of ‘The Temptations'. Don loved to hunt but did not own his own rifle; he loved to eat fried catfish, but he was not a good fisherman; he tried golfing but was no Tiger Woods; but he enjoyed life to its fullest.
In 2015, due to health challenges and concerns, Donald came to Henderson, Nevada to be cared for by his sisters: Fredda Beavers Jones and Rev. Dorothy Beavers Dykes. Although he passionately loved Chicago, particularly the '95th Floor' of the John Hancock Building, 'Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse' and the nightlife of the big city, he never missed the legendary 'Windy City Hawk' of Chicago's infamous winter weather. While in Henderson, Don continued his devotion to JESUS the Christ, by financially supporting Fountain Of Hope AME Church of Las Vegas, NV.
Don was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, siblings: Rev. Vernell Beavers, Plyma Beavers Green, Otis Beavers, Jacquelyn Beavers Ford, Francine Beavers Brunson, LaVern Beavers Ware Gee, Mollie Faye Beavers DeNye Tillman, George C. Beavers Sr., and Maude N. Beavers Barker; his nephews: Ralph 'Skipper' Ford Jr., Andrei 'Bo' Jamison, George 'Poncho' C. Beavers Jr., and Eric 'Ricky' D. Henry; and his niece: Danita Jan Ware.
Donald leaves to cherish his memory, his sisters: Irma Beavers Henry of Milwaukee, WI; Julia M. Beavers Jamison Davis of East Moline, IL; Fredda Beavers Jones (Dorsey) and Rev. Dorothy L. Beavers Dykes (Otis), both of Henderson, NV; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
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