Shirley was born September 23,1947 in French Camp, CA to Thomas and Irene Appling. Shirley graduated from Edison High School and attended Humphrey’s Business College. Shirley began her career with the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin as an ac-count clerk and worked her way up to management where she worked until she retired.
Shirley came to know the Lord at an early age and was baptized by Rev. Zacchaeus Dunham, Sr. at Little Flock Baptist Church in Stockton, CA. She followed Rev. Zacchaeus Dunham, Sr. to God’s Throne Missionary Baptist Church. Shirley continued to be faithful to the Lord and became a deaconess at Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor R. Larry Collins in Stockton, CA where she served until her death.
Shirley was a classy, sassy, and well-dressed woman who loved the Lord and her family. She could always be depended on to lend a helping hand to family and friends. She prepared some of the best fried chicken and hot water cornbread. She was also known for her delicious potato salad and peach cobbler.
Shirley is preceded in death by her father Thomas Appling, her stepfather John Caldwell, her beloved husband Henry L. Washington, Sr., her beloved son Henry L. Washington, Jr., her brother–in-law Windle Jackson, her uncle Andrew Howell, Sr., her aunt Jessie Howell, her cousin Yvonne Day, and her niece Tamika “Joy” Ellington.
Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter Sharmaine D. Barnes (Fred), step-daughter Debra L. Russell (Steve Sr.), Godson Courtney Boyd, grandchildren Trenton Kim-ble, Steven Jr. and Stephanie Russell, Nicolette, Henry III, and Henrihanna Washington, great-grandchildren Jaylen, Jeremiah, and Kyree Russell, her mother Irene Caldwell, step-mother Pamela Appling, sisters Renee and Brandy Appling, brother Thomas Appling, II, God brother Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Dunham, Sr., uncle Curnlee Howell (Judy), aunts Mauzie Howell and Mozell Turner, daughter-in-law Rebecca Washington, brothers-in-law Condia Washington (Vicky), Walter Howell (Sandra), Andrew Howell, Jr. (Carolyn), and Johnny Washington, sis-ters-in-laws Georgia Smith, Bobby Jackson, Etta Antwine (Mike), Peggy Dismuke (Marlon), and Juanita McClelland, dear friends Cleve Jenkins, Jill Kohn, Jean McCullough, and a host of family, co-workers, and friends too numerous to name.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N California St, Stockton, California 95202. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 14, 2022 at Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 1625 N Lincoln Street, Stockton, CA 95204. A private graveside service will occur Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Cherokee Memorial Park, Harney Lane & Highway 99, Lodi, California.
