Mr. Trimble was the founder of Donald Trimble Mortuary Inc., in Decatur, which he opened in 1983. By the time he was 12, he knew he wanted to be in the funeral business. He started hanging around funeral homes at age 12 and worked at local mortuaries. He bought his own graveside space when he was 19. Respected and admired in the Atlanta metropolitan area, he often gave huge holiday parties and invited anywhere from 600 to 1,000 guests. He loved people, he liked entertaining at his house. He would cook dinner at his home and invite his employees. He would always find a reason to celebrate. When the street where he lived first got street lights, he thought there should be a celebration. His funeral business conducted more than 800 funerals a year and is one of the most popular mortuaries in the Atlanta area. Yes, Donald was a man who believed in entertaining at home. That might be why he had his funeral viewing in the bedroom of his home in Decatur, GA. He was laid in his bed dressed in a red, embroidered robe on ivory satin sheets. His glasses and an open Bible lay near his body on the bed. He never told anyone why he wanted it that way. Mr. Trimble also didn't want an obituary. He just wanted poems and pictures of himself throughout his life. He always felt that what he did in his life wasn't important. He didn't believe that things he had done needed to be talked about. So he never wanted an obituary. An obituary tells what you have done. But what he did, he just did. He didn't do it for publicity or anything like that.
Survivors include a brother, Billy Trimble of Decatur; nieces, Burnetta Trimble of Conley, GA, Chedonna Trimble-Holston of Conyers, GA, and Faith Trimble of Decatur, GA; and great nephews, Keith Smith II of Conley; Brenan Holston of Conyers; an uncle, Calton Trimble Sr. of Atlanta and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mr. Trimble died of liver failure at Emory University Hospital at age 58.
Like many children, Mr. Trimble conducted pet funerals, but he always knew that would be his profession. At the age of 12, he started working at neighborhood mortuaries, including Hanley's Bell St. Funeral Home. Though not a licensed mortician himself, he decided to build his own funeral home.
He had business before he opened the doors, because people knew him from the other funeral homes.
Mr. Trimble's lavish Christmas party for a guest list of 1,000 was a must-do. Friends, churches, other funeral homes and families he had served during the year were invited to the gala at an elegant hotel.
On Independence Day, Mr. Trimble had a barbecue at his house for about 800 guests.
Mr. Trimble took pleasure in supporting his community. He adopted elementary schools and sponsored children's sports teams in Decatur and Cobb County. He also helped members in the church who needed help with their rent, and he wouldn't pay just one month, he'd pay two to help their children.