Mark Washington

Mark Washington, 84, of Jacksonville, Alabama, died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 31, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jo Ann, his son, Joe Mark (Juliana), brother Larry (Belinda), sister-in-law Patricia Washington, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved him.He was predeceased by his parents, Farris and Lena Riddle Washington, brothers, Ray Washington and Farrell Washington. How do you capture the true essence of Mark? He loved the Lord, his family and many friends. He was kind, but firm in his beliefs. He was very active in First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, serving as deacon, greeter and on the security team. He loved children, and they loved him. He was known to them as the candy man and shared sweets with them. He was an outstanding basketball and baseball star at St. Clair County High School--All District (MVP) and All State; basketball and baseball at Snead Junior College--All dixie Conference, and scholarship basketball player at Jacksonville State College (now University). He is a member of the St. Clair County Sports Hall of Fame. After receiving his Master degree from JSU, he taught physical education there from 1965-1974, before becoming principal at Kitty Stone Elementary School until he retired in 1999.

After retirement, he and Jo Ann enjoyed traveling to visit Joe Mark and cruising, but he really enjoyed working in his yard, fishing with friends (Jack Gilchrist and Buddy Riddle), and attending car shows and cruise-ins. A graveside burial will be held at Low Gap Methodist Church Cemetery, Odenville, Alabama, at Noon, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. If you want to remember him with a memorial, he loved Frist Baptist Church, Jacksonvillle, and he also believed in the work of Big Oak Ranch, Samaritan's Purse, and St. Jude Children's Hospital.