Donald Cleveland Brown

Donald Cleveland Brown, departed this life peacefully on January 23, 2025. He was 85 years old. Donald was born on November 21, 1939 at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Donald was raised in New Orleans by his parents Geneva Hite Bims and Aaron Bims. He was baptised at an early age and an active member at Peck United Methodist Church. Don, as he was affectionately called, was a graduate of the class of 1958 of Walter L. Cohen High School. He was a musician and played the trumpet in his high school band. After graduating from Walter L. Cohen High School, Don enlisted in the United States Army where he actively served for over 20 years. Don also worked for the U.S. Department of Defense at the Navy Air Logistics Office until his retirement. He received an award for his 50 years of service in the Government of the United States of America. Don was passionate about genealogy. His work in genealogy assisted with the inauguration of and continued success of the Rash-Hudson Family Reunion. Don was a football fanatic with the New Orleans Saints being his favorite NFL team. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Holiday gatherings and family get-togethers delighted Don and he and his late wife Barbara served as primary hosts for many years. Don was an active member of the Walter L. Cohen Alumni Association where he served as an honorary board member and active participant in Alumni activities until the decline of his health. Don was regarded as a generous and dedicated man, a craftsman who loved to collect and create ceramic figures. He traveled extensively and also loved to journal through photography. Donald is preceded in death by his lovely wife “Queen” Barbara Kay Brown, his parents, Geneva Hite Bims and Aaron Bims; his biological father Grover Brown; his grandparents Rose Paige Hite and John Hite Sr. and his first wife, Helen Edwina Brown. A devoted family man, Donald is survived by his children Kathy Brown, Daryl Brown, Tanja Hayes, Letrise Aarabi-Blanks (Dewey), Juan Hayes (Donnisha), Hope Hayes and Dahme "Kenya" Bolden. He is also survived and cherished by his grandchildren, Janelle Brown, Timothy Miles, Todd Bickham, Benjamin Hayes, Justin Bolden, Henry "Tre" Bolden, Fatima Aarabi, Shireen Aarabi and Damarris Triggs (Kristi). Don's memory will also live on in the hearts of his first cousins, Delores Robinson Jones, Rosetta Robinson James and Lester Pollard Jr., his great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend his Funeral Service at Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Interment: Providence Park Cemetery. Arrangement by Rhodes Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to share condolences and sign the guestbook.