Barbara Washington

Barbara Geneva Washington was born on January 30, 1942, in Pasquotank County, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Ruth Elizabeth Razor and James (Butler) Liverman. She fell asleep in death on May 23, 2024. She was the eldest of four children.

She attended public school and stood out early on as a star student. Barbara continued to excel academically, graduating at the top of her class, and serving as valedictorian of her high school. She attended Elizabeth City State University for a year but put her education on hold temporarily to secure employment and save money in hopes of returning to school. She participated in the Civil Rights March on Washington in 1963 as a young woman.

Barbara adored her siblings. She enjoyed a special bond with Sandra (Verne/Sane), Lindsey (Brother), and Zaundra Veotrice (Vee/Poochie). She could be heard on the telephone on any given day laughing aloud, talking trash, or giving advice. She even named a business venture called Zaundra’s Boutique after her youngest sister. She loved them dearly.

While living with her aunt in Harlem, New York, she met a handsome young man named King Anthony (Tony) Washington. He often told the story of how it was “love at first sight” when he laid his eyes on Barbara. He was initially captivated by her beauty, but quickly discovered that she was very intelligent. The two wed in 1964 and had three children: Anthony (Valance), Tammy, and Venus.

Tony and Barbara had a strong desire to raise their family in a house with a backyard, so they purchased a home in Deer Park, New York. This was a new experience for the family as they were among the first people of color in their neighborhood. Thankfully, most neighbors were pleasant. Thus, the family home became a hub of joyful activities from barbecues to talent shows. The children fondly remember going to the annual Italian festival and having sleepovers back and forth with their cousins all summer long.

Barbara’s eldest nephew, Jerard Washington, affectionately recalls that as a young man living in the South Bronx, his auntie invited him to go to day camp with Valance in Deer Park. She told him, “Remember you’re my son, not my nephew, because we got a family discount.”

In Long Island Barbara worked for the IRS (a job she said caused excessive stress) and later for Hartman Systems and SEDCO Systems. She returned to school to complete her education and graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Management.

Barbara loved to read and was known for clipping articles that she felt were helpful and passing the info along to her children. Her children remember Barbara using the Reader’s Digest magazine to improve their vocabulary and enrolling them in summer reading challenges at the local library.

About a year after the passing of her beloved husband, Barbara moved to Charlotte, NC. Shortly after arriving, she became a licensed North Carolina Realtor. In 1989, she began her tenure as a teaching assistant with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system while maintaining her real estate broker’s license. She retired at age 65.

Barbara looked for opportunities to culturally enrich young people. She is a published author, having written a children’s book on African American history. Barbara received a Grant from the Arts C Science Council to adapt her book into a play for young people. She strived for human excellence

focusing particularly on disadvantaged communities. She was one of the founders of the Black Men and Women Club (BMW Club), which offered a scholarship to African American students. She instilled in her children and grandchildren the need to set goals and to do their very best in all that they do. The grandchildren always looked forward to “Grandma’s Family Day” where they could share their achievements, talents, poems, scriptures…really whatever was on their heart that they wanted to share. She would give them praise and encourage them to reach for the stars!

Barbara had faith in God and was studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. She cherished the hope for the resurrection of the dead found in Acts 24:15.

Barbara touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed!

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Washington; mother, Ruth Riddick; grandmother, Lizzie Razor; brother Lindsey Riddick; father, Butler Liverman. She leaves to cherish precious memories, her children; Anthony Valance Washington, Tammy Foster, and Venus Springs; grandchildren; Ayanna Foster, Caleb Foster (Izzy), Valance Novellus Washington, Amina Foster, Anthony Springs, Isaiah Foster, Julian Springs, Rain Washington, and Ronan Washington; sisters; Sandra Sawyer (Glenn) and Veotrice Wicks (David); brothers-in-law; Ernest Washington (Ellen) and William Washington; sisters-in-law; Eileen IFill, Willa Washington and Betty Washington; first cousin; Thomas Holley; bonus siters and brother; Dot Scriber (Kenny), Bernadette Burke (Melvin), Tyrone Riddick; best friends; Delores Page (Tommy) and Alverna Bracey; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and close friends.

Acknowledgments

Barbara Washington will be buried in New York with her beloved King Washington. Therefore, there is no burial service afterward.

The family of Barbara Washington would like to sincerely thank everyone for their prayers, provisions of food, and expressions of sympathy and kindness. May Jehovah bless the spirit you show! (2 Timothy 4:22)

For those who have time to stay, food will be served on the Second Floor of this building in the Conference Room.