Mrs. Marguerite Rose Washington

Marguerite Rose (Ivory) Washington was born in the rural area of Estell, Mississippi on October 15, 1926 to Arthur and Canary (Howard) Ivory. She passed away August 31, 2018 at the age of 91 years. Being the only child for 15 years, the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Baptist preachers, she was spoiled! She excelled in school and graduated as the class Valedictorian and Salutatorian at the young age of 15 years old. Marguerite had met the one who would become the love of her life, Mr. Only Washington, Sr. Her parents relocated the family to Baltimore, MD and six siblings were born. Marguerite was blessed with an encounter to reunite with Only, Sr., and was joined in Holy Matrimony. They relocated to Saginaw, MI and to this union 14 children were born, combined with three previous children of Only, Sr., for a total of 17 children. Marguerite enjoyed working various jobs including Robinson Cleaners, a chef at High-Life Inn and Big Boy Restaurant, dispatcher and driver for Red Ball Cabs and the Castle Museum. Marguerite and Only, Sr. also owned and operated a pool hall on 6th and Farwell Street for many years. She enjoyed supervising Only, Sr. as he worked in her flower garden. Marguerite retired from the Federal Building after many years of dedicated service. She loved spending time with her family, working on puzzles, reading the Saginaw News, watching baseball and game shows (especially Family Feud with Steve Harvey), her church, Bethel A.M.E., eating Cracker Jacks, peanut brittle, sweet potato pie and drinking grape soda. Marguerite leaves to cherish her life, dedication and unconditional love for five generations of family, five daughters, Emma (William) Harris-McDaniel, Shirley Calbert, Catherine Monroe, all of Saginaw, MI, Willie (Grantly) Payne, Metropolis, IL, Evelyn (James) Jones, Tampa, FL; step-daughter, Mary (George) Barrett, of Cleveland, OH; six sons, Only, Jr., Marvin, Michael, both of Saginaw, MI, Milton (Reta) Washington of Corpperas Cove, TX, Anthony Washington of Chicago, IL and step-son, James Washington of Saginaw, MI; two sisters, Ada Ivory and Beatrice Summers, both of Baltimore, MD; one brother, Arthur Ivory of Baltimore, MD; more than 45 grandchildren; more than 82 great-grandchildren; more than 43 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and community children; a multitude of other loved ones, friends and church members. She shared a bond and many conversations with niece, Dorothy Kemp. Mrs. Washington was preceded in death by her husband, Only Washington, Sr.; her parents, Arthur and Canary (Howard) Ivory; three daughters, Sara, Virgil and Yvonne Washington; one son, Robert Washington; one step-son, George Washington; two brothers, Eldridge and Anthony Ivory; and one sister, Juanita Barnes. She was a lovely rose in that beautiful garden on Friday, August 31, 2018. God was walking in the garden and saw this lovely rose. So he picked it for Himself and said to her “Marguerite, now is the time to pull off that robe and dress in this one I have laid up for you in heaven. It is time for you to come home.” Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Bethel A. M. E. Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Pastor Dennis Laffoon will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present to friends from 2:00-8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Marguerite Rose Washington

October 15, 1926 - August 31, 2018