Mr. Preston Washington

Preston Washington went to be with the Lord on January 29, 2024 in his home in Missouri City, Texas. He was the son of Robert and Lela Washington, one of nine siblings. Raised in Sondheimer, a rural area near Lake Providence, he attended East Carroll Parish Training School, graduating in 1954. There he met Susie Lee. He picked cotton until he was old enough to leave. He was excited to overcome segregation and began a unifying message.

He joined the army in 1954, serving with the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada. On January 5, 1957, he married Susie and they moved to South Carolina and then to Michigan, where most of his family migrated due to segregation in the South. This place wasn't the final stopping point. 

He started searching for jobs and found one in Chicago. That's where they had their first child, Christopher, in 1958. With another child on the way, he found employment at Allied Screw Machine Company—a company that recruited veterans. That child transitioned to heaven at birth. In 1960, they had a third child, Linda Marie. Soon the apartment became a bit too cramped and they built a house on the south side of Chicago. There they had their fourth child, Stan. 

Preston and Susie attended New Hope Baptist Church for many years. Preston was a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. There they made many cherished friends there and raised their children in the knowledge of the Lord.

Preston worked as a printer for Market Facts, Inc. for thirty years. During that time, he graduated from Olive Harvey with an associate’s degree and then from Chicago State with a Bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

After Christopher moved to Houston, they resisted at first, but moved there in 1991. Preston worked for the Fort Bend Independent School District for ten years as a high school teacher and field supervisor, helping special needs students obtain employment and supervising their efforts. He received an award for excellence in teaching in 2007. He attended Sugarcreek Baptist Church and served at another church, preaching in nursing homes. 

In addition to his fantastic career, Preston enjoyed many activities such as woodcarving, reading, writing, walking, and telling stories about his past, hobbies that he was able to share with his loved ones.

He will be greatly missed by many.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Preston Washington, please visit our floral store.