Mrs. Mary "May" Washington

November 11, 1930 - May 4, 2017

Today we celebrate the life of Mother Mary Washington. She was born on November 11, 1930 in Bolivar County, Mississippi and departed this life May 4, 2017 in Peoria, IL. She was 86 years old. Mary was the daughter of the late Melvin & Minnie Cotton. She was united in matrimony to Tom Washington on January 29, 1946, a marriage that lasted 57 years until his death in 2003. Mary leaves to cherish one daughter, Lucille Barnett of Peoria, IL, two step-sons; Tommy Reed of Peoria, IL, Robert Reed of Memphis, TN, and one step-daughter Gloria Pace of Chicago, IL. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, three sisters, and one step-daughter. Mary worked for many years in Peoria, Illinois as a housekeeper doing work for the owners of Fredman Brothers Furniture and for the Hilton Hotel. now known as the Pere Marquette. She also worked as a housekeeper for serveral years in Chicago, IL. Mary was a long-time member of Peoria Friendship Baptist Church. Later in life, she attended Kingdom of Deliverance Baptist Church where she was a devoted member until her passing. Throughout her Christian life, Mary has served as an usher, sang with the church choir, and was recognized as a mother of the church. She enjoyed serving God, cooking, singing, and going fishing. When Mary wasn’t working, she could be found serving others in some capacity. She was known by her family and friends for her loving heart, delicious cooking, her wisdom, and her generous giving of whatever she had and giving of herself. Mary Washington was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.