Clara W. Washington

Mrs. Clara Anita Walker Washington was born in Louisville, KY on February 9, 1925 to the late Clarence and Idelia Walker. She graduated from Louisville Municipal College and the Atlanta University School of Social Work. Clara married James Edward Washington on November 25, 1949 in Lexington, KY. To that union was born two sons, Reginald Edward Washington and James Clarence Washington. Clara departed this life on February 16, 2016, at the age of 91. She was employed in several different positions with the State of Delaware. Among them, she was an Adoption Worker for the Children's Bureau; Supervisor in the Division of Social Services, Kent County; and a Social Worker for the Smyrna School District. The Washington Family moved to Dover, DE in 1963 and joined Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. There, Clara volunteered her services in many capacities. She was a member of the Board of Trustees; Usher Board; Women's Missionary Society; Helping Hand Club Treasurer; Class Leader and Secretary, compiling membership rolls for ten years; Stewardess Board and the Deaconess Board. In May 2013, Mt. Zion recognized her as Stewardess Emeritus. Clara was equally involved in the community. For the Capital School District she served as President of the Booker T. Washington Elementary School PTO; on the Site Selection Committee for North Elementary School; the Strategic Planning Task Force; the 2002 Superintendent Selection Committee; and the Community Partnership Board. In addition, she was on the Board of Directors for the Dover Housing Authority; the Executive Board for the NAACP; and the Legacy Gift Club for Clark-Atlanta University. Before she became ill, she was a volunteer for Bayhealth Medical Center and the Biggs Museum of Art. Clara was known as a social activist. For years, she was involved in voter registration drives and encouraged others to become civically active. She was not afraid to speak out on issues that effected the community. Clara was a Golden Soror and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Her hobbies were reading, traveling and community service. Her favorite song was "Great Is Thou Faithfulness; and her favorite scripture was Psalm 100. Clara was also a fabulous historian. She kept impeccable records, and had a fantastic memory. She maintained a whole library of significant events that occurred throughout the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Among her numerous honors and awards, Clara was recognized by the Delaware State Board of Education for having "helped to shape the minds and characters of her students." She was credited with having "transmitted a culture, awakened hundreds of individuals to appreciate and develop their abilities and brighten their futures," and for having "changed lives, thus enriching the State." She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Washington; her parents, Idelia and Clarence Walker; her brothers, Richard Walker and Clarence Walker, Jr. and her grandson, Jermaine Burris. She is survived by her two sons, Reginald E. Washington and James C. Washington of Dover, DE; a sister-in-law, Elva Davis of Lexington, KY; extended family: the daughter she never had, Florence Goldsborough of Dover; goddaughter, Claudette Smith; Shirley and Bennie Smith; godson, Keith Martin; and many nephews, nieces and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara W. Washington, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Clara W. Washington

February 9, 1925 - February 16, 2016