Ella Washington's Celebration of Life

Sister Ella Mae Head Washington entered this life on August 14, 1934, into the family of Elmer "Buddy" and Janice Hanspard Head as the second of five children. She was brought up in the Mount Pleasant community in West Monroe, LA. She confessed her belief in God and became a lifelong member of the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in West Monroe at an early age. She departed this life on May 2, 2023, after suffering life's trials and tribulations; she passed away peacefully in her West Monroe home. She received her early education at Central High School in Calhoun, LA, and received her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees from Grambling State University. She worked as an educator in the Monroe City, Ouachita Parish, and Meridian, Mississippi, school systems. On March 18, 1956, she vowed to become the loving wife of the late Reverend George Washington and mother of their three children. She later became a dutiful first lady and servant, following Reverend Washington as he pastored the Mary Goss and Tried Stone Baptist Churches of Monroe, LA. She was known in the general area for singing, praying, and praising the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Winifred; loving spouse, Reverend George Washington; and three siblings, Gertie Mae, Margarete (Maud), and Lola. She is survived by one son, Derrick Washington (Thelma Jean) of Crowley, TX; one daughter, LaTonia Washington of Burleson, TX; brother, Elmer Ray Head of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, NaKeisha Smith, Ashley Washington, Derrick Washington II (Cassidy), Alexis Lamar Washington, and Nicholas Travelle Washington (Jessica); great-grandchildren, Landon Washington, Ava Washington, Derryl Smith II, Anastasia Washington, and Malachi Washington; and a host of family and friends. Her celebration of life is Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Greater New Antioch Baptist Church in Monroe, LA. Visitation is on Friday, May 12, 2023, 6:00-8:00 PM at Greater New Antioch Baptist Church. Interment- Richwood Memorial Gardens.