Mrs. Vealea Washington

Mrs. Vealea Washington, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother made her transition to her eternal home on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the age of 85 years. Mrs. Washington was born on September 30, 1932 in Mayersville, Mississippi to Annie Laura (Green) Love and London Williams. Mrs. Washington earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Loyola University (Chicago) and degrees in Religious and Theology Studies from the Urban Bible College, completed courses at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, IL, and the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. She also completed courses at Helene Curtis Cosmetic and Professional Guilds. Having moved to Saginaw, MI from Chicago, IL in the 1950’s she was a Social Worker and a Cosmetologist. She was a graduate of Saginaw Beauty College as a Licensed Cosmetologist, later owning and operating her own beauty salon. Mrs. Washington was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time with her family and had a love of writing. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” As a firm believer in Christ, a prayer warrior, a beloved sagest, Mrs. Washington faced each day fueled and inspired by the words Paul penned in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She had been a faithful and loyal member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church since 1964 serving in various capacities throughout the years, including a Sunday school teacher, President of the Mission Department, Director of the Youth Department, Director of Christian Education, Superintendent of the Sunday School Department, Director of Vacation Bible School, Director of the Evangelism Department, a dedicated member of the Zion Mass Choir, the Women’s Auxiliary and the Ministers Wives and Widows. She had been an active member of both the Saginaw Valley Baptist District since 1959 and a lifetime member of the Wolverine Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated. She served both organizations faithfully and spiritually. She was the first Secretary of the Congress of Christian Education for the Saginaw Valley Baptist District and Worship Leader for 33 years. She served as the historian and wrote the history of the Saginaw Valley Baptist District Association. She was also the Youth Representative of the Wolverine Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and a longtime member of Church Women United, having served as a past President and the Spiritual Leader. Mrs. Washington served on numerous boards, committees and task forces throughout the Greater Saginaw Community, including Saginaw Valley County Substance Abuse, Task Force on Aids, YWCA, NAACP (life member), Mental Health Chapter-Alcohol Information Board, Stop the Flow of Drugs, and Operation PUSH. She was also a member of the Saginaw Police Community Relations Commission from 1972 to 1989. She retired as Chair of the Commission in 1989 after 5.5 years at the helm and was recognized by Mayor Delbert J. Sherman and the City of Saginaw for her leadership and programs aimed at helping young people solve their problems to become productive citizens of the City of Saginaw. She received many honors and recognitions throughout her life including recognition from the Michigan House of Representatives, Kiwanis and Church Women United. Mrs. Washington leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of nearly 60 years, the Reverend Arthur L. Washington; special daughter-in-law, Annette Merrill, Lansing, MI; three beloved step-children, Diane (William) McLaunce, Debra Wood, one whom she raised, George (special daughter-in-law, Viola) Washington, Shreveport, LA; beloved aunt, Ersell (Frank) Crayton, Gary, IN; sisters-in-law, Josephine Bradley, Pauline Luke and Ann (James) Donald, all of Saginaw, MI brother-in-law, Rev. Otis (Bonnie) Washington, Saginaw, MI; six beloved granddaughters, Attorney Coffiann Hawthorne Merrill, Lansing, MI, Jamaika Hawthorne Merrill, Washington, D.C., Melinda Walker, Ann Arbor, MI, Lisa (Eligah) Jackson, Lansing, MI, Regina Washington, Shreveport, LA; special grandson whom she raised, DeVorious Laster, Saginaw, MI; a special great-grandson, John Riggins, Lansing, MI; ten other great-grandchildren, Maya Brown, Ann, Arbor, MI, Taurean Jackson, Kendall Jackson, Austin Jackson, Courtney Jackson, all of Lansing, MI, Arielle Laster, Saginaw, MI, Shaniqua Washington, Veleria Washington, Niya Washington, all of Shreveport, LA; five great-great-grandchildren; a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mrs. Washington was preceded in death by her parents, Annie (Green) Love and London Williams; her beloved grandmothers, Fanny Williams and Eliza Boyd; beloved son, Gregory Merrill (she missed him immensely); beloved step-sons, A.C. Washington (whom she raised) and Tommy Washington. Her priceless wisdom, comforting nature, sassy wit, and her flair for those beautiful Sunday-go-to-meeting hats will be sorely missed for many years to come by her family, friends and all who knew and loved her. Family hour will take at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2018 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street, Saginaw, MI 48607 with the funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Rodrick Smith, Host Pastor. Pastor Emeritus Dr. Roosevelt Austin, Sr. will officiate with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Mrs. Vealea Washington

September 30, 1932 - August 23, 2018