Mr. Howard Randall Washington

Howard attended Lincoln Elementary and Carver High Schools in Collins, Mississippi. He attended Alcorn State University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Ed. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Pleasant CME Church in Mt. Olive, Mississippi.

He met Lee Destra Smith in 1966 in Natchez, Mississippi. They married May 9, 1967. To this union two children were born, Howard R. Washington, Jr. and Monica Augusta Washington.

Howard was employed by the Indianapolis Public School system for eight years. He was also employed by Tasty Bakery. He worked for the Silver Burdett Book Company, and her retired from Jenn-Air in 1996.

He was preceded in death by his parents Meltarrus Washington Sr., Augusta McNair, brother Meltarrus,  Washington, Jr., Joseph McNair, and Robert McNair, Jr., and stepfather Robert McNair, Sr.

Howard had many loves some being fishing, dominos, cards, car shows, live bands, DJ and his great love for down home music. He had a passion for reading and studying the Bible. His favorite book of the Bible to read were the Psalms. He spread his wings by becoming an entrepreneur and opened up a joint venture The Point Night club, and later The Famous Grand.  He loved giving to the community giving bikes away at their annual Easter egg hunt, feed a family give away Thanksgiving baskets, and toys give away at Christmas. He provided transportation for his granddaughter’s basketball team, and Thursday night customer appreciation. He was a great practical joker and had a keen sense of humor. His family was always at the bottom of his jokes. Never knowing when he might come up with something to make them think or get in trouble. Some of his famous quotes were “Hello World”, and “I Got My Eye on You”, and “Where was John when he jumped off the bridge.”

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of forty-nine years, Lee Destra, sons Andre Perry Shelby, and Previne Shelby, Howard, Jr. and daughter, Monica Washington. Grandchildren Paige M. Washington, Solomon Stewart, Da’Naria R. Washington, D’Amari R. Washington, Anthony M. Moore, great-grandchild Jada S. McClendon, brothers Larry Washington, Fountaine McNair, Harold McNair, and sisters Earline McNair, Jacqueline (Terry) Bryant, Josephine (Stan) Smith, Jeannette Expose, and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.