Sept. 25, 1935 –

Jan. 1, 2012

Funeral services for Eva Mae Green Washington, will be Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at the Bethel A.M.E church of Attapulgus, with Rev. Randall Hines Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in the church’s cemetery.

Mrs. Washington was born Sept. 25, 1935, in Fort Valley, Ga., to the late Charlie and Adell Green. She grew up in Climax, and attended the public schools of Decatur County. Mrs. Washington graduated from Albany State University with a bachelor’s degree in special education. She later received her master’s degree in education from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Mrs. Washington was passionate about education, especially as it related to the needs of exceptional children. She taught special education in Decatur County and Crisp County school systems in Georgia. She moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 1973, and taught for more than 25 years in the Anderson County school system.

She was a charter member of Xi Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in Oak Ridge. Through her membership in the Sorority, Mrs. Washington spearheaded many programs of benefit to Oak Ridge and surrounding areas. Included were the Summer Health Camp for at-risk children, and the annual Ethnic Food Tasting Gala which brought together people from many races and cultures. Mrs. Washington served on Covenant Health’s Community Outreach Board, where she led the effort to provide nursing assistance to citizens in the Scarboro community.

In her later years, she fulfilled her childhood dream and returned to Southern Georgia and taught for a year in the Gasden County, Fla., school system. After moving back to Georgia, she continued her social services efforts, and was featured in her hometown newspaper for saving the home of a neighbor.

Mrs. Washington moved back to Oak Ridge in 2009, due to health issues. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge.

Mrs. Washington touched many, many lives. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, a Soror, and most of all, a good friend to those who knew her. She was an inspiration to the young and old, and was always quick to praise, but slow to anger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Samuel Washington; several siblings, and other relatives and close friends.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, Charles A. Washington Sr., her devoted husband of 54 years; a son, Charles (Jody) Washington Jr. of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; a daughter, Charlotte (Jay) Jeffries of Atlanta, Ga.; sisters, Beulah Harrison, Ruby Walthour, and Rena Ann Shomotun (Adeoye); brothers, George (Gloria), Herbert (Janice) and Fred (Henri) Green, and Henry (Ruth) Davis; and grandchildren, Charles III, Christopher, Austin, Colin, Monkell, and Rose-Shevi. In addition, she will be sorely missed by a host of faithful friends and Sorority members.

Mrs. Washington will be available for viewing on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Guyton Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.