Obituary of Dr. Donald Laurence Trent, Sr.

The Life of Reverend Dr. Donald L. Trent, Sr. "I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth, my soul shall make her boast in the Lord." Psalms 34 Donald L. Trent, Sr. was born on April 24, 1947 in Cumberland, Virginia to James S. Trent and Mary Lee Epps Trent. He was one of six children. His education began at their knees along with his sister, Bernice and brothers, Raymond, Harold, Joe, and Earl. His mother and father taught them to pray on their knees, took them to Sunday School and church. They were brought up in a Christian home; saying grace before each meal, saying a bed time prayer-" Now, I lay me down to sleep pray the Lord my soul to keep." Donald accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of seven at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cumberland, Virginia. Donald received his education from Luther P. Jackson High School and graduated in 1965. In 1966 Donald was called to serve in the United States Army, spending time in Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort McClellan, Alabama; Fort Dix, New Jersey, and eighteen months in Germany. On July 12, 1969, Donald married his eighth grade sweetheart, Gloria Morris. God truly blessed this couple and kept them happily together for forty-three years. From this union they were blessed with one daughter, Montesa and two sons, Donald, II, and Stevie. In 1969, he was employed with E. R. Carpenter Company for twenty-five years. Donald accepted his divine calling from God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and through his home church, Bethlehem Baptist Church became a licensed minister. With collective support of his wife and children he began his pastoral ministry at Second Union Baptist Church, Goochland, Virginia. He was blessed by God to preach revivals in Upstate Monticello, New York, numerous times in Long Island, New York; Washington, D.C.; South Carolina; and Virginia. Donald was blessed to serve as Pastor of Second Union Baptist Church for forty years. Oh, how he loved Second Union. Pastor Trent was blessed by God to continue his education at Richmond Virginia Seminary where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology, continuing his studies at Faith International Bible College. He even served as an instructor for two years. He didn't stop there, he went on to receive his Master's and Doctorate of Theology. On Thursday, February 7, 2013, Donald went from labor to reward at his home in Columbia, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Raymond and Joe. He leaves to cherish his love and memories: wife Gloria; children, Donald, II (Marquitta), Stevie (Nicole), and Montesa (Michael); eight grandchildren, Stevie, Jr., Hakeem, Pachenc, Chanze, Makaylen, Terraye, Dominique, and Marcus; sister, Bernice; brothers, Harold (Mable), Earl (Juanita) and Mark (Shelia); step-mother; two step- sisters; one step brother; along with a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.