Earnestine Washington

Earnestine Washington was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 27, 1932. She was the eldest daughter born to the late Eurious and Willie Mae Armstrong. Earnestine and the late Clifton Washington Sr. joined in union on July 26th, 1956, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and remained a union until 2024, upon Clifton’s peaceful transition. Of this union were born 7 children: four sons and three daughters.

Earnestine was a dedicated housewife and deeply rooted in faith under the guidance of beloved minister Bishop Davis Ellis of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI. She was known for saying, “No kid is going to be hungry on my watch!” She had the best succulent caramel and chocolate cakes, delicious pineapple and sweet potato pies, butter rolls, pot roast, and many other delicious treats. She was also somewhat of an expert gardener with two green thumbs.

She had a beautiful and comedic personality that kept her ‘chirren’ (in her words) laughing at the way she pronounced words and how she would roast anyone at any time with her quick-witted words and impeccable comedic timing.

She is survived and left to cherish her memory by one brother, Julian (Juvita) Armstrong; three sisters, Bettye M. Oglesby (late Frank), Ivy P. Taylor (Percy) of Chicago, IL, and Linda F. Compton (late Larry) of Memphis, TN; four sons, Clifton Washington Jr. (Florence) of Canton, MI, Michael Washington, Steven Washington (August) of Detroit, MI, and Carl Washington (late Geraldine) of Detroit, MI; two daughters, Peggy Simmons of Detroit, MI, and Helen Washington of Wayne, MI. Earnestine was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family members who preceded Earnestine in death were her parents, Eurious and Willie Mae Armstrong; seven brothers, Eurious Armstrong Jr., Charles Armstrong, Eddie Armstrong, Willie Gene Armstrong, Joseph Armstrong, Fred Armstrong, and Elijah Armstrong; two sisters, DellaMae Armstrong and Barbara Bragg; one daughter, Norma Jean Washington; and one daughter-in-law, Geraldine Washington.

Rest in heavenly peace, my love. Your children will forever miss you. We all have gained another Angel watching over us all.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152. Visitation will continue on Thursday, July 2, from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service beginning at 10:00 am. A livestream of the service will be available.

She will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery with her late husband on Thursday at 1:30 pm.