Donald E. Driver, Sr.

DONALD ELLIOT DRIVER, SR., age 83, went home to be with the Lord on February 6, 2026. He was born on August 18, 1942, in Gloucester, Virginia to Harvey Dallas Driver and Elizabeth Whiting Booth. Donald lived a life marked by faith, service, hard work, and deep devotion to family. Donald spent his childhood in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from Douglass High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy prior to attending college, demonstrating honor, discipline, and integrity. He later graduated in 1972 from Morgan State University with a degree in Business Administration. He had a long and successful career with Exxon Corporation as a Senior Marketing Engineer and was known for his professionalism and masterful negotiating skills. On August 24, 1963, Donald married the love of his life, Kathleen Dailey Driver, beginning a marriage that spanned more than six decades and stood as a testament to enduring love, faith, and partnership. To his children, he was an amazing father and exemplified perseverance through every adversity. Deeply committed to his family, Donald also believed in giving back to his community--coaching baseball and basketball through his children’s Boys and Girls Club teams, mentoring young athletes with patience, encouragement, and humor. He served on school PTA boards, always advocating for children and education. Later in life, his servant’s heart led him to work within the prison system, supporting continuing education and prison reform efforts, believing strongly in redemption, opportunity, and second chances. In retirement, he and his wife, Kathleen, built their dream home on the York River in Gloucester, a place that brought them great peace and joy and where many cherished family memories were made. A devoted man of faith, Donald was ordained as a deacon at Shepherdsville Baptist Church, a church built by his forefathers in 1883, where he sang joyfully in the church choir, sharing his love of music and worship with the congregation. He served faithfully with humility and duty, guiding others by his example. Later, Donald and Kathleen relocated back to Maryland, settling in Owings Mills, where they joined the congregation of Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church. Donald had a genuine love for life’s simple joys. He loved to play golf, recording a hole-in-one at Forest Park Golf Course in Baltimore. He was an impeccable dresser, always proud of his Sunday best. He also loved to cook steaming crabs from the York River, making his oyster stew, custard pies, and pound cakes, a passion continued by his son, Keith, an accomplished chef. He loved music and would often burst into song or his signature dance. Known for his quick wit, humor, and natural charisma, Donald had a way of lighting up a room. His stories, laughter, and warm presence drew people in, and he formed deep, lasting connections wherever he went. Whether through a perfectly timed joke or a kind word, he made people feel seen and valued. Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Driver; his children, Donald Driver Jr. (Michika), Kathy Knox, Donna Chapital (Alvin),Keith Driver (Jaime), and Derrek Driver; his grandchildren, twins Dallas Driver and Donald Driver III(Asha), Gideon Driver, Ariana Knox, Isabella Knox, Sophia Knox, twins Alvin Chapital IV and Addison Chapital, and Kaia Driver; and his namesake great-grandson, Donald Driver IV. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Eleanor Hunt, Anna Dailey, Lorraine Dailey, Jocelyn Dailey; his close first cousin, Barbara Lemon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom he dearly adored. Donald will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering faith, generosity, quick humor, and love of family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the communities he served, the traditions he nurtured, and the generations he inspired.

Tributes

Donald E. Driver, Sr.

August 18, 1942 - February 6, 2026