Shirley Octavia Williams Washington

Shirley Washington was born on November 14, 1930 to Elizabeth Honors and Gus Williams in Bartow, Florida. She was raised by her mother Elizabeth Honors Cooper and stepfather Arthur Cooper and she accepted Christ at a early age.

She attended public schools in Polk County and Miami Dade County where she graduated in 1948. She then worked several jobs in Florida and New York. Upon returning to Florida, she continued her education at Florida A and M University. It was during this time she met Rufus Washington, Jr and they were married on February 4, 1956 and they had three children Ronald, Michael and Rufus III. She obtained her bachelor degree in Elementary Education in 1959 and started working at Rosenwald Elementary and retired in 1989. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling and she got more involved in the Church serving as the Sunday school pianist and teacher. She also served as a member of Senior Mission Ministry, Christian education Ministry and biblical instructor for Antioch’s Community Outreach Ministry.

Shirley Washington was born on November 14, 1930 to Elizabeth Honors and Gus Williams in Bartow, Florida. She was raised by her mother Elizabeth Honors Cooper and stepfather Arthur Cooper and she accepted Christ at a early age.

She attended public schools in Polk County and Miami Dade County where she graduated in 1948. She then worked several jobs in Florida and New York. Upon returning to Florida, she continued her education at Florida A and M University. It was during this time she met Rufus Washington, Jr and they were married on February 4, 1956 and they had three children Ronald, Michael and Rufus III. She obtained her bachelor degree in Elementary Education in 1959 and started working at Rosenwald Elementary and retired in 1989. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling and she got more involved in the Church serving as the Sunday school pianist and teacher. She also served as a member of Senior Mission Ministry, Christian education Ministry and biblical instructor for Antioch’s Community Outreach Ministry.

Shirley Washington was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Rufus Washington, Jr., Brother Benjamin Smith, Sr, Sister Mary Brown and son Ronald Washington.

She departed this life on March 24, 2026 and leaves behind two sons, Michael and Rufus (Minnie), a brother Arthur(Joyce) Cooper. Three grandchildren Tierney(Cameron) Holmes, Porsha and Jeremiah and one great granddaughter, Casani Holmes, sister in law Joyce Cornish and Carolyn Washington and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.

A Visitation will be held at Royal Palm Funeral Home located at 5601 Greenwood Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 on April 10, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Roanoke Missionary Baptist Church located at 1320 Douglas Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 on April 11, 2026 at 11:00 am.

A Committal Service will follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens located at 5601 Greenwood Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407.

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