Olivia Beatrice Washington

Olivia was born in 1925 in Oakwood, TX to Levy and Donna Flaggs, and was raised in San Antonio, TX. Olivia was one of five children: brothers Elic and Marshall Flaggs; sisters Alice Johnson and Florence Brown.

Her father was a mechanic and mother was a homemaker. Her parents, as well as both of her sisters, could not hear and talk. Olivia grew up speaking sign language, a language she spoke throughout her life. She had a great friend, whose given name was John Moore; but she always called him Yacey. Yacey’s parents also could not hear and talk, and in her words, that made the two of them family. They grew up together, played together, but Olivia says they never had a fist fight.

Seeking opportunity, Olivia moved to Denver, CO in 1945. Once she was settled her oldest child, Geneva joined her. Olivia met and married Loye Washington, and had two children. They later divorced.

The family spent the first few years living in Denver and Olivia secured employment with the Rifkin family. It was this association that caused Olivia to realize that the quality of education where she lived in Denver did not match the education provided to children in other areas of the city. This prompted the move to Lakewood, CO, in the mid-1960’s, becoming one of the first African-American families to buy a home in Jefferson County Colorado. Due to resistance to African – Americans moving to the area, according to family lore Olivia secured the services of Richard Lamm, an attorney with the Colorado Antidiscrimination Commission, who went on to serve three terms as governor of Colorado.

Olivia was a caring and compassionate individual, visiting nursing homes to talk, visit and pray with residents. For many years she read the bible every night to her friend June who was blind. She unfailingly remembered everyone's birthday and never failed to send a card.

Olivia was a fabulous cook. She enjoyed having people over for dinner, and catering large dinner parties for her employers. She loved cooking and trying different recipes, and amassed a large and varied cookbook collection ranging from southern cooking to cache cookbooks written by early Colorado pioneers. Although she denied it Olivia enjoyed getting a phone call every Thanksgiving asking for her recipe for dressing balls.

Her granddaughter Lauren carried on the tradition of making that phone call.

Olivia’s great passion in life was the work she did with Christian Haitian Outreach, a nonprofit organization helping orphaned children in Haiti since 1974. Olivia made many trips to Haiti, and always spoke fondly of her time working in the orphanage and of the children.

Olivia made friends wherever she went, and would strike up a conversation with anybody whether that be in the grocery store, riding the bus, or walking down the street.

Olivia is survived by her three children: Geneva Marie Combs (Fred); Denise Washington, and Loye Washington (Lin); grandchildren Olivia Marie Pollard, David Gwin (Eustacia), Nathan Johnson, Fred Junior Combs, Tim Combs (Kymberli), Fredrick Combs, Karen Combs, Samantha Mallard (Wayne) and Lauren Wyhs (Arno);

Great-grandchildren Catrice Brantley, Jabar Allen, Canisha Armstrong, Siey'Reaq Miller, Chantal Florence, Nathan Victor Nieto, Christine Gwin, Dadrian Combs; Sloane Hyer; 32 great great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews; cousins including Hope Finnell, and Anita Satchell; special friends including Gloria Denise Edgenton, Denise Davis Sanderson, Judy Rifkin Bonifaci, Joanie Caldwell, Russell Bond, as well as many dear friends made along the way.

She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.