Donovan James Browning

To the heartbreak of many, Donovan James Browning, 22, passed away suddenly October 31, 2020.

Donovan was born December 1st, 1997 to Angelina Naranjo and Jason Browning in Santa Fe, NM, and belonged to both Ohkay Owingeh and San Ildefonso Pueblos. He grew up loving music, reading, and taking part in traditional responsibilities. He was a particularly good student. As a young man just beginning his twenties, Donovan, or “DJ”, loved to sing karaoke, and was partial to reggae-ton. The family remembers that he was very particular about looking stylish, smelling good, and was “all about that hair- 100”. Donovan had a bright smile and absolutely loved making people laugh. He was regularly asked for personally at his job at Denny’s of Espanola.

Donavan was preceded in death by his grandfather Miguel Sandoval of Abiqui, cousin Destinee Atencio of San Ildefonso, grandparents James Wilbert Naranjo, Louis Naranjo, Florence Naranjo (San Ildefonso) and Donna Browning (Ohkay Owingeh).

Survivors include his mother Angelina Naranjo, father Jason Browning, sister Kaelene Browning, brothers Avant Marquez, Jameson Naranjo, and Jason Browning (nephew Ulisius), grandmother Patricia Naranjo, great-grandmother Marie “Toni” Sandoval, and many more aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of Ohkay Owingeh and San Ildefonso Pueblos. Especially important to Donovan was especially close to his cousin, Donna Denipah (Ohkay Owingeh).

 A viewing was held at Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola at 3:00 on Monday, November 3rd.

Burial will take place at Ohkay Owingeh Tuesday, November 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m..

The family has entrusted Donovan’s care to Rivera Family Funeral Homes and Cremations of Espanola. Please feel free to leave your condolences, memories, photos, and stories at www.riverafamilyfuneral home.com.

Don’t grieve for me now for now, I’m free.

 I’m following the path God has laid, you see.

I took His hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found my peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

O yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with the times of sorrow,

 I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts a peace to thee,

God wanted me – He set me free.