Johnnie Walter Washington was the first of nine children born to Johnny Snyder Washington and Gracie Mae Lockhart Washington, on March 22, 1934 in Limestone County, Alabama. He departed this life on December 1, 2020 in Huntsville, Alabama.
John received his early childhood education in the public schools of Limestone County, graduating from Trinity High School in Athens, Alabama in the class of 1952. An excellent student and outstanding athlete, John was awarded a football scholarship to Bethune Cookman College (University) in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he matriculated until entering the United States Army.
It was while at Bethune-Cookman that John met the love of his life, Eugenia Beatrice Goode. John and Eugenia were married on June 18, 1954. This union was blessed with two children, and the marriage lasted for fifty-eight years until her death on September 23, 2012.
After several years in the military service, John worked as a manager in the electronics division at RCA. While there, he had work assignments around the globe, including Greenland. In 1977, John returned to Alabama. After coming back home and before retiring, John worked several years for both the Chrysler Corporation and Pentastar Electronics Incorporated in Huntsville, Alabama.
John was an active member of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Harvest, Alabama until his death. He was baptized at Pine Grove in 1946 at the age of twelve, and returned to his roots upon his return to Alabama. Because of his willingness to be of service in the community, John was well known and loved for making a difference in the lives of many. He did volunteer work for the Huntsville Hospital System for years, was very active in the ALS Association, and played Santa Claus for churches, family gatherings, and civic organizations for over thirty years. For some families he had the honor of being Santa for the children from two generations.
Whether he was ‘Dad’, ‘Pop’, Grandaddy, ’Bro’, ‘Uncle Johnny ‘or ‘John’ to you, there is no way you will ever forget the big man with the giving heart and the witty conversation, who instilled in you the importance of family traditions, and who hosted the most unforgettable family gatherings.
Preceded in death by his wife and his parents, John leaves to cherish these special memories: his daughter, Janet Washington; his son, Kendall (Melody) Washington; six grandchildren, Troy D. (Holly) Washington, Latoria Rowell, Kendall Washington, Kessarah Washington, Kieralyn Washington, and Kade Washington; three great-grandchildren, Kinsley, Grayson , and Preston Washington; three sisters, Ela Washington, Arteen (Ernest) Campbell, and Dicie Craig; five brothers, Othel (Rebecca) Washington, Lawrence Washington, William (Martha) Washington, Trevor Washington, and Snyder (Tereasa) Washington; one aunt, Mrs. Adrain Carter; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
