Ms. Sally Mary Washington Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary In the morning hours, on Monday, January 15, 2024, at her home in Collinsville, Va., God extended His almighty hand of love and touched the brow of our loved one, Mrs. Sally M. Taylor Washington, indicating her task on earth was done. Sally Mary Taylor was born in Franklin County, Va., on July 31, 1914. She was the third child of John W. Taylor and his first wife, Ollie Taylor, who died when Sally was around four years old. “Papa” John was a tobacco farmer, and young Sally and her siblings helped him work the fields. Sally eventually left the farm and took a job up the road at a hospital in Boones Mill, Va. It wasn’t long before she, like many others who headed North for more opportunities, moved to Washington, D.C. There, she would be close to her sister Beulah and her growing family. Later, before heading to Connecticut to work, she met a gentleman named Louis Washington as he was on his way to serve in the United States Navy. They both returned to Washington, D.C., in the 1940s and, as fate would have it, they reconnected. Sally and "Wash" were united in holy matrimony on July 17, 1950. They were blessed with 45 years of companionship until his passing in 1995. Their home at 9th & Kennedy Streets, NW, was the hub for holiday gatherings and was always filled with family, friends, food, and fun. That fun often included Pokeno games and couples' Bid Whist tournaments. Sally was an excellent cook, and in addition to the feasts she would prepare in her home, she also shared her craft professionally. She worked as a cook at the Town and Country School in Silver Spring, Md., and after retirement, she took a part-time job at a local restaurant. She was also an entrepreneur who, well into her nineties, provided catering services that included her famous tea sandwiches, caramel cakes and peanut butter cookies. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved Mrs. Washington, and she loved her community in return. She could often be seen sitting on her front porch, tending to her flowers, waving and speaking to whoever walked by. She really enjoyed her regular, all-day shopping excursions with her close friend and neighbor, Mrs. Clara Smith. Along with having fun, Sally also knew the importance of being an empowered resident and participated in civic and Advisory Neighborhood Commission (4C) meetings and candidate forums, staying well-informed about how to vote on issues affecting the people in her treasured Ward 4 and beyond. Her time and input will be fondly remembered at safety meetings held at the 4th District Police Precinct and at the Emery Heights Community Center, where she took crochet and sewing classes, making Afghans and quilts for "the senior citizens.” Sally was a faithful servant of the Lord and a member of Walker Memorial Baptist Church for over 70 years, where she had been a part of the Friendship Club since 1944. She never missed a meeting until her health prevented her from attending, but her powerful presence was always felt. In recent years she joined live Sunday services over the phone and internet, but she made a final in-person appearance on Women’s Day on November 12, 2023, beautifully dressed in white with her signature matching hat. Although she lived most of her life in her beloved Ward 4 community in D.C., Sally rarely missed the opportunity to ride to the "country" to see her “people,” especially to the Taylor, Green, Purdue, Starkey Family Reunions held every Labor Day weekend in Rocky Mount, Va. Sally was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Louis Welton Washington; her (8) brothers, Harry, Seaboyd, Lloyd, Joe, Mack, Randolph, James, and Herbert; her (5) sisters, Beulah, Gertrude, Ruby, Nannie, and Margaret. She is survived by her sister, Victoria Taylor, of Collinsville, Va., and great number nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Thank you, Mrs. Washington/Aunt Sally/Cousin Sally/Sister Sally, for sharing your tremendous essence with those of us who will remember you with great love and esteem. Until we meet again, rest well, our Queen.

Ms. Sally Mary Washington

January 15, 2024

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