Barbara Lee Washington

Barbara Lee Washington peacefully went to be with the Lord on May 19, 2025. She was born on October 29, 1946 to the late Richard Roland Hunter, Jr. and Nancy Lee Hunter in Norfolk County, Virginia, now known as Chesapeake, Virginia. She graduated from Crestwood High School in 1966.

Barbara moved to York County in 1966. She married the late Howard Granville Washington in 1966. From this union, they were blessed with three children: Malissa, Leah, and Howard. They were married for twelve years until his passing in 1978.

She served as a school cafeteria employee before her retirement in 2008 and has always been a wonderful cook, known particularly for her incredible homemade rolls.

Barbara filled her home with love and visiting made you family. You couldn’t leave without a full stomach, a smile on your face, and memories to last a lifetime.

Towards the end of her life’s journey, she enjoyed hitting the town and going anywhere and everywhere, especially with her eldest daughter Lissa and her Golden Girls: her sister Clara and cousin Lillie Mae. She loved the long, heartfelt conversations with her daughter, Leah and always made breakfast for her son, Howard whenever he came by to maintain her lawn.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sisters: Christine Hunter Hill and Brenda Hunter, and her brother: Thurman Hunter.

She is survived by her siblings: Richard Hunter, III (Jean), Clara James, and Ann Denise (Hunter) Redcross; three children: Malissa Fenton (Darrell), Leah Washington, and Howard E. Washington (Maria); five grandchildren: Leroy Washington (Kelleen), Lecia Parker (Devan), Tia-Sha’ Drummond (Delonte’), Jazmine Johnson, and Sydni Palmer Washington; seven great-grandchildren, her beloved cousin, Lillie Mae Street, her significant other, James Lamb, three great-granddogs, and a host of many other loved ones.

A celebration of life for Barbara will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. Following the celebration of life will be a graveside service at 1:00 PM at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 S Henry St, Williamsburg.