Obituary for EUGENE G. WASHINGTON
DEACON EUGENE G. WASHINGTON was born in Selma, Alabama, on Saturday, November 30, 1929, to O'Lilian and Lemon Washington. He attended the Alabama Public School System until grade six. He was the eldest child of eight and left school early to assist with family care and provision. Deacon Eugene loved school and learning. He inspired and encouraged many others to pursue higher education.
Deacon Eugene relocated from Alabama to Columbus, Ohio, in 1950. He was baptized at Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ and attended there until he was drafted into the military. Deacon Eugene served in the United States Army as a corporal until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
Prior to moving to Columbus, Deacon Eugene courted Lula A. Edwards. They maintained a long-distanced relationship while Lula matriculated through the Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes, and Deacon Eugene served in the Army. They were united in marriage December 23,1954, until September 6, 1996, when Lula peacefully transitioned. To their union, were added two daughters, Jeanette, Eugenia Marchelle, and one son, Frederick Lamar.
Deacon Eugene was filled with the Holy Spirit January 12,1962, under the leadership of the late Apostle Hubert J. Spencer. He served the ministry of Rehoboth Temple for more than 50 years, until his health declined. He was installed as a deacon in 1972 and served as chair for several years. He was also president of the Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union (ABYPU),
Sunday school teacher and superintendent, member of the Templeaire Choir, member of the Brotherhood Ministry, and served as an advisor to the Templeteens/Young Adult Choir. Deacon Eugene was especially dedicated to his lead role of the 6am Sunday prayer, where he faithfully and consistently met the Lord weekly, for 40 plus years.
Deacon Eugene was able to achieve an educational goal, as a student graduate of the first class of the Rehoboth Temple Bible Institute/College, under the leadership of the late Bishop Kenneth L. Bligen. He also was a leading member of the Rehoboth Temple Garnes-Graves Memorial Scholarship Committee.
In addition to providing ministry at Rehoboth Temple, Deacon Eugene served on the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Diocesan and International levels as the ABYPU president, Sunday school superintendent, and International Sunday School Chaplain.
Deacon Eugene’s vocational call was in the concrete/cement industry. After working years for other companies, he and two of his cousins, Percy and Charles Washington, in 1975, successfully launched Washington Brothers Cement. The company sustained and employed more than 50 individuals. After Percy retired, the company name changed to C&E Midwest Concrete Construction Company.
Deacon Eugene officially retired in 2010, and continued to help by meeting with prospective clients, securing bids, and assisting with payroll. He concluded these services in 2015, when he was no longer able to drive, at the age of 85. Deacon Eugene often expressed gratitude for the blessings of God in his life. One of his favorite songs was “God Is So Good To Me.”
Deacon Eugene was honored as “Father of the Year” in 1991, by the Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ congregation. He will affectionately remain in the memory of many as, “Brother Gene.”
Deacon Eugene went home peacefully to be with the Lord early Monday, February 27, 2023. He was blessed with 93 years of life. Deacon Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Olilian Ford and Lemon Washington; his wife of 33 years, Lula; daughter, Jeanette; two sisters, Berniece and Willie Mae, one brother, Eddie Ford; in-laws, Edgar “Mr. Love” and Annie Edwards, Claude and Willie Mae Edwards, Wiley “Bubba” Jefferson; two godchildren, Wendy Whitehead and #1 godson, Frank “Bookie” Moon II.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Eugenia Marchelle (Tannis) Vaughn; son, Frederick Lamar Washington; grandchildren, Brandy Thomas of Georgia, Shannon Vaughn, Ieasha Vaughn (Francis) Ekanem, and Frederick Lamar Washington II; three great grandchildren, Marcus, Akilah, and Madison; two brothers, John Ford, OT (Zella) Ford of Alabama; two sisters, Etta Jefferson of Michigan and Catherine (Melvin) Francis; three godchildren, Terica Bryant Talbert of South Carolina, Terrilyn Robinson Wallace, and Amber Holloway Cleveland; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.
Deacon Eugene relocated from Alabama to Columbus, Ohio, in 1950. He was baptized at Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ and attended there until he was drafted into the military. Deacon Eugene served in the United States Army as a corporal until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
Prior to moving to Columbus, Deacon Eugene courted Lula A. Edwards. They maintained a long-distanced relationship while Lula matriculated through the Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes, and Deacon Eugene served in the Army. They were united in marriage December 23,1954, until September 6, 1996, when Lula peacefully transitioned. To their union, were added two daughters, Jeanette, Eugenia Marchelle, and one son, Frederick Lamar.
Deacon Eugene was filled with the Holy Spirit January 12,1962, under the leadership of the late Apostle Hubert J. Spencer. He served the ministry of Rehoboth Temple for more than 50 years, until his health declined. He was installed as a deacon in 1972 and served as chair for several years. He was also president of the Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union (ABYPU),
Sunday school teacher and superintendent, member of the Templeaire Choir, member of the Brotherhood Ministry, and served as an advisor to the Templeteens/Young Adult Choir. Deacon Eugene was especially dedicated to his lead role of the 6am Sunday prayer, where he faithfully and consistently met the Lord weekly, for 40 plus years.
Deacon Eugene was able to achieve an educational goal, as a student graduate of the first class of the Rehoboth Temple Bible Institute/College, under the leadership of the late Bishop Kenneth L. Bligen. He also was a leading member of the Rehoboth Temple Garnes-Graves Memorial Scholarship Committee.
In addition to providing ministry at Rehoboth Temple, Deacon Eugene served on the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Diocesan and International levels as the ABYPU president, Sunday school superintendent, and International Sunday School Chaplain.
Deacon Eugene’s vocational call was in the concrete/cement industry. After working years for other companies, he and two of his cousins, Percy and Charles Washington, in 1975, successfully launched Washington Brothers Cement. The company sustained and employed more than 50 individuals. After Percy retired, the company name changed to C&E Midwest Concrete Construction Company.
Deacon Eugene officially retired in 2010, and continued to help by meeting with prospective clients, securing bids, and assisting with payroll. He concluded these services in 2015, when he was no longer able to drive, at the age of 85. Deacon Eugene often expressed gratitude for the blessings of God in his life. One of his favorite songs was “God Is So Good To Me.”
Deacon Eugene was honored as “Father of the Year” in 1991, by the Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ congregation. He will affectionately remain in the memory of many as, “Brother Gene.”
Deacon Eugene went home peacefully to be with the Lord early Monday, February 27, 2023. He was blessed with 93 years of life. Deacon Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Olilian Ford and Lemon Washington; his wife of 33 years, Lula; daughter, Jeanette; two sisters, Berniece and Willie Mae, one brother, Eddie Ford; in-laws, Edgar “Mr. Love” and Annie Edwards, Claude and Willie Mae Edwards, Wiley “Bubba” Jefferson; two godchildren, Wendy Whitehead and #1 godson, Frank “Bookie” Moon II.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Eugenia Marchelle (Tannis) Vaughn; son, Frederick Lamar Washington; grandchildren, Brandy Thomas of Georgia, Shannon Vaughn, Ieasha Vaughn (Francis) Ekanem, and Frederick Lamar Washington II; three great grandchildren, Marcus, Akilah, and Madison; two brothers, John Ford, OT (Zella) Ford of Alabama; two sisters, Etta Jefferson of Michigan and Catherine (Melvin) Francis; three godchildren, Terica Bryant Talbert of South Carolina, Terrilyn Robinson Wallace, and Amber Holloway Cleveland; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.