Don Frank Venable

A Celebration of 63 Years of Life Don Frank Venable was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 21, 1957. He was one of three children born to the late Frank Johnson and Helen M. R. Venable. Don was the second to be born of a fraternal set of twins. God called our beloved Don home on Sunday, June 27, 2021. Don was educated in the Baltimore Public school system. He was an academic scholar at Mergenthaler High School. His greatest passion was cooking. He maintained lengthy employments as a chef. Most notably for the historical Haussner's Restaurant where a signature veal dish was named for him “Veal Venable”. He also was a chef at Holiday Inn, and HCR ManorCare from which he retired. In his teenage years, he formed a music band “The Young Lovers” with five other friends. He often talked about the songs and dance moves they would create. His largest audience consisted of two fans, his younger sister Mallory and niece Wanda. As fate would have it, just as the band was headed to “stardom,” Don met Phyllis M. King in 1975; the two married on March 3, 1978. From this union three children were born, Darnell, Danielle Betina, and Demeria Chanika. Don and Phyllis would later take different paths in life, but remained family until he took eternal rest. Don accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age; he was baptized at Saint Phillips Lutheran Church. Later in life, he was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost at St. Paul Baptist Church. Don’s love and admiration for his children and grandchildren was his most cherished blessing. He enjoyed fishing with his son Darnell and son-in-law Levy. Fishing trips by land or boat were the highlight of his summers. He enjoyed cooking for and watching football games with his nephews, Samuel (Bobo), Mike, Shamar, Andre (Man-Man), and niece Dezi. He called them “The Gang” He enjoyed all genres of music, dancing, family gatherings, and drawing. He always had a story to tell, often times you would wonder if it was the truth or a stretch of his imagination, but you either laughed or learned something. When he was asked, “What would you say about your life?” he responded, “It’s been one hell of a ride” and “My kids mean more to me than silver and gold.” Don is preceded in death by his brother; Walter Venable, sisters; Shirley Carroll, Brenda Gonsalves, Denise Venable-Harrison, nieces; Jacqueline Davis and Pearl Corprew-Williams, brother-in-laws; Samuel Carroll Sr. and George “Tony” Gonsalves; sister and brother-in-love; Shelia T. King-Faulcon and Herbert J. King Jr. Don leaves to cherish his memory: son, daughter-in-law; Darnell & Chessie Venable Sr., daughters, son-in-laws; Danielle & Terence Sloan Sr., Demeria & Levy Ford III, grandchildren; Donte’, Alexis, Darnell Jr., Malea, Terence Jr., Daniel, Donavan, Levy IV, Destiny, Phillip, and Ayden, great granddaughter; Journee, brother; William (Barbara) Venable, sister; Mallory Venable, stepbrothers; Renard Venable, William “Bill” Venable, brother-in-law; Leroy Harrison Jr., mother of his children; Phyllis King-James, sisters and brother-in-love; Geneveive Nichols, Connie King-Douglass, Tammy King-Mosley, John King, nieces and nephews; Michael Venable, Crissi Harrison, Shemia Burnette, Samuel Carroll, Andre Venable, William (childhood best friend), Wanda, Walter, Brenda, Tyrone, and Dwayne Corprew, Joyce, Ronald, and Lawrence Venable, Shirley Williams-Venable, Beulah McClarin, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and grand-dog Toby. Don’s legacy will live on through his family and all that loved him.

Tributes

Don Frank Venable

July 21, 1957 - June 27, 2021