Gary Washington Sr.

Gary Burnell Washington, Sr. was born on December 16, 1955, to the late Willie Washington, Jr. and Eula Pearl Waller-Washington in New Orleans, LA, as the third of seven children. On February 28, 2025, at 3:49am, with family surrounding his bedside, Gary transitioned to be with his Heavenly Father.

Gary accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at an early age by the late Rev. Andrew Lee at Morning Star Baptist Church. Gary was educated through the Lafourche Parish School System and graduated from Thibodaux High School in 1973.

Gary met the love of his, Ava Marie Owens while they were in high school. They were joined together in Holy Matrimony on December 20, 1975, at New Belmont Baptist Church by the late Rev. Prosper Johnson. As their love for each other grew, so did their family. To this union, one child, Gary Burnell Washington, Jr., was born on January 25, 1978. Gary Jr. was the joy of Gary Sr. and Ava’s life.

In May of 1992, Gary began working for the Lafourche Parish Government. He was a dedicated and faithful worker. He worked for 30 years before retiring in May of 2022. After taking care of his beloved Ava until her passing, Gary decided to return to the workforce. In 2023, Gary began working at Thibodaux High School as a custodian until his passing.

Visitation will be 9:00 AM until Funeral Service at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 8, 2025 at 101 Brule Guillot Road Morning Star Baptist Church Highway One in Thibodaux, LA. Burial will follow at St. Peter Baptist Church Cemetery.

Gary was a family man at heart. Through their generosity and kindness, together with his wife Ava, Gary raised many children as well as opened their home to anyone who needed a meal, a good laugh, and love. The absolute joy of Gary’s life were his two granddaughters, Payton Alexis and Jalyn Elise. He thoroughly enjoyed when “his girls” visited.

Gary leaves to cherish his memory; his one son, Gary Burnell Washington, Jr., and his wife Suella Lewis-Washington and non-adopted nephew Jaydon Paul Blackledge; granddaughters, Payton Alexis and Jalyn Elise Washington; brothers, Nathan Washington (Charlette), Carl Washington, and Fredric

Washington (Ava); sisters, Valerie Thomas, and Jeanie M. Edmonds (the Rev. Norman Edmonds, Sr.); brothers-in-law, Lionel James Owens, Jr. (Michelle), Darrel Paul Owens, Sr. (Lorey), Michael Johnson, Lawrence Ellis, Jr. (Carolina), Curtis Ellis, Glen Ellis (Judy), Steven Ellis, Mitchell Ellis (Dorothy); sisters-in-laws, DeJaun Jones Nixon, Demtria Hayes (Herman), Deborah Henning (Tim), Brenda Moore (Oscar), Beverly Mason (Ray); aunt, Carrie Ellis; godchildren, Jeanie M. Edmonds, Larry Thomas, Tierre Gramma, Christopher Barrio, Lauren Owens, and Janay Edmonds.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Marie Owens Washington; parents, Willie Washington, Jr. and Eula P. Waller-Washington; brother, Willie Washington, III; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lionel James Owens, Sr. and Elouise Skidmore Owens; paternal grandparents, Willie Washington, Sr. and Mary Alice Washington; maternal grandparents, Ervin Waller, Sr. and Bessie Mae Courtney-Lloyd; grandmother-in-law, Carrie Williams; brothers-in-law, Larry L. Thomas, Troy Jacquot , and Don Frye; and nephew Dwayne