Donald Cordell

CORDELL, Dr. DONALD A. - Age 64, On Sunday, September 4th, 2011, Dr. Donald A. Cordell peacefully departed this life to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dr. Cordell was born on January 31, 1947 in Rocky Mount, NC, to the late Spencer M. and Lula B. Cordell. He had nine siblings. One sister, (Ernestine) and one brother, (James) preceded him in death. In 1972, he married Patricia D. Stowe-Cordell. They have been happily married for 39 years and to this union 2 children were born. He attended Rocky Mount Public Schools in Rocky Mount, NC and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Dr. Cordell furthered his education at Winston-Salem Sate University in Winston Salem, NC. While at the university, Dr. Cordell was a lead soloist in the “famed” University Choir which toured Rome, Italy and Austria. Upon graduation he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a minor in English. Dr. Cordell was immediately recruited and hired by the School District of the City of Pontiac. During his career with the Pontiac School District, he taught vocal music and reading for 10 years at the middle school level and vocal music and English at Pontiac Central for 16 years. His professionalism and excellence in education made him a target by Dr. Sam Abram for the position of Director of Fine and Performing Arts for the Pontiac School District. Dr. Cordell accepted and remained in this position until he retired in December of 2006. Dr. Cordell continued his education and went on to receive his Master of Arts degree in bilingual education from Oakland University, Secondary School Administration Certification from Oakland University and a Philosophy of Education doctoral degree from LaSalle University. Dr. Cordell was the Minister of Music at New Bethel Baptist Church in Pontiac, MI for 29 years and Minister of Music at Christ Presbyterian Church in Southfield, MI; for 5 years. He was ordained as a deacon in 1975 and carried this charge with great pride and honor. Dr. Cordell’s community affiliations include Sr. Director of the City Wide Choir Union for 37 years, member of the Board of Directors for the Pontiac Kiwanis club, member of the Board of Directors for the Creative Arts Center, member of St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Dr. Cordell was an accomplished singer who used his gift of vocal ministry to touch souls around the world. He leaves beautiful memories to be cherished by his devoted wife, Patricia D. Cordell, two daughters, Donna P. Cordell of Alpharetta, GA and Donita D. Cordell of Auburn Hills, MI; three brothers, Elmer Cordell or Pontiac, MI, Robert Cordell and Timothy (Janice) Cordell of Rocky Mount, NC; four sisters, Geraldine Anderson and Dorothy (Willie) Shepherd of Pontiac, MI, Shirley (Sidney) Cordell-Robinson of Fredericksburg, VA and Diane (Michael) Cordell-Wright of Rocky Mount, NC; two sister-in-laws, Sandra (Edward) Chavis of Fayetteville, NC and Carol (Alfred) Poe of Winston Salem, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Family hour 11:00AM Saturday September, 10, 2011 at St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, 69 S. Astor St., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon. Pastor Al J. Terrell, officiating. Entombment Christian Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 521 Hamlin Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Saturday. Dr. Cordell will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday.

Donald Cordell

January 31, 1947 - September 4, 2011