Georgia Mae Washington (Lansing)

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7

Mrs. Georgia Mae Washington went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the age of 87 years. Georgia was born in Wesson, Mississippi on June 1, 1934, to parents Isiah and Ethel Gray. She received her education in the Wesson, Mississippi school system. In Mississippi is where she met and married Ira Washington, Sr. They migrated to Chicago, Illinois where she was employed with Zenith, and later they settled in Lansing, Michigan where Ira, Sr. accepted a job with General Motors. They had a total of nine children together.

Georgia was known for her exceptional culinary skills as ministry leader at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where she was a long-time active member. She was also known in the community for her signature coconut cake, and as a gifted seamstress. She created beautiful prom and wedding dresses and even made boat-seat covers for her husband’s boat. With those gifts and talents, she started several businesses from Spic-N-Span Cleaning Service to a resale store called the Country Closet formerly located in East Lansing, MI.

Georgia was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. And she had an extraordinary sense of humor that she shared with her family and very close friends. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. She had a beautiful inviting smile and a strong yet sweet spirit that will be greatly missed.

Georgia was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Ira Washington, Sr.; parents, Isiah and Ethel Gray; her sisters, June Butler, Barbara Jean Smith, Helen Johnson, Judy Gray, and brother, Orby Gray; her daughters, Phyllis Washington, Ethel Owens, and Margaret Bernice Jones, and a grandson, Dion Hicks.

She leaves to cherish loving memories of herself to her brothers, Charles (Kathy) Gray, Jerry (Jeanette) Gray, and Ronnie Gray; sons, Danny Washington, Ira (Shirley) Washington, Jr., Gregory (Nicole) Washington, and Michael Steele; and daughters, Dorothy Washington and Wednesday (William) Ross. Seventeen grandchildren including special granddaughter raised as a daughter, Barbara "Missy" Patterson, eight great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, a beloved son-in-law Jonathan "Joe" Owens, and a host of nieces and nephews. Special friendships she leaves with Virginia Ruffin and Charlene Stapleton both of Chicago, Illinois; and a god-daughter Sandra Chapman-Williams.