Mary Beeler Washington-Winbush

“A Life of Love and Faith”

With hearts filled with gratitude, we celebrate the life of our mother, Mary Beeler Washington-Winbush—our first teacher of life and of faith. She entered this world on August 17^th, 1922, the ninth of twelve children born to Walter Clay Washington and Gertrude Alice Fields-Washington in Columbus, Ohio.  Growing up in the Flytown community of Columbus, she learned that family and friends were never defined by wealth or social location, but by faith, loyalty and the ability to share whatever one had.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Macedonia Baptist Church. She later joined Bethany Presbyterian Church were she served as a faithful member, Ruling Elder, Sunday School teacher, Women’s Association President, mentor to new and younger members, and friend to many for over 60 years. She participated in the wider life of the Presbyterian Church through serving on different committees of thePresbytery of Scioto Valley, including the Committee on Preparation of Ministry where she encouraged young candidates for ministry. She would often attend Synod wide events and was active in the local, synod, and national Black Caucus of the denomination. She participated in cross-racial “living room” encounters sponsored by the presbytery between Black and White couples during the 1960’s.  She was active in a small ecumenical group of women who met weekly to pray for their families, communities, churches, and world. They never had a name, but were simply the Prayer Circle.  Prayer was central in Mary’s life and it gave power and meaning to her journey of life and faith.

As ayoung adult, Mary moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked at the Pentagon. She was a member of the United Federal Workers of America, which resulted in her having to take out “Loyalty Papers” during the McCarthy “anti-Communism” era of the U.S. However, Mary was always active in the life of the community, particularly in those areas that supported children and African Americans, including the NAACP, Association for Retarded Citizens. She retired from the J. Ashburn Youth Center.

Mary loved life. She took particular pleasure in horses, dancing, modeling for her dear friend Ursel White Lewis, traveling, reading, playing cards, board, and family games. She loved art and would become a supporter and collector of the work of local artists including, Elijah Pierce, Aminah Robinson, Queen Brooks, Kojo Kamau and others. She was known for her “Christmas cookies” and always having a listening ear and heart.

Mary’s greatest joy was her family. She married Robert Garfield Winbush whom she affectionately called “Wimpy” on April 12, 1947. Together they loved and parented three children, Donald Dewitt, Robina Marie, and Benita Pearl.  She deeply loved her extended family and poured into the lives of her nieces and nephews and granddaughters.  However, she also had the heart to love and pour into many children in the community who would grow to fondly call her  “Mom Winbush.”

Her parents and siblings, Lawrence, Walter, Lillian, Paul, Rachel, Russell, Genevieve, Esther, Donald, Dorothy, and John pre-deceased her along with her husband Robert and youngest daughter, Benita.

Early on Saturday, December 2, 2017, Mary completed her earthly assignment and entered into the fullness of God’s loving presence. Her light and love will continue to shine through her son, Donald, daughter Robina, “daughter-in-love” Greta, granddaughters, Erica, Jasmine, and Amaris, great-grandchildren, Mishaila, Tyanna, Larnell, and Blair, her dear and faithful friend, Beatrice Harris, first cousins Earl Fields and Joan Jones, her nieces and nephews and a host of a family and friends.

Visitation 11 am and Funeral 12 noon Friday, December 8, 2017 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 206 N Garfield Ave. Interment at Union Cemetery. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave.  In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial contribution to The OSU Foundation Account 302185, 1480 Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43221 supporting research into Alzheimer’s Disease. To read the complete obituary and to offer condolences to The WASHINGTON-WINBUSH Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds.”   Psalm 116: 15 – 16