Charlene Washington - Brundige

Charlene Washington-Brundige was born in Helena, Arkansas on May 4, 1939 to the late Ethel Lee Thomas Parker and Oscar Willie Edwards.  She was raised in three households – Ethel and Joe Parker Sr., Oscar and Gladys Edwards, and Pearlie and Simuel Thomas Sr. - which accredited to her love of family. Charlene was first and foremost – a woman of God.  She loved the word of God and good gospel music.  She was a faithful member of Faith Outreach Church until her health began to decline. Charlene received her education at Eliza Miller in West Helena, Arkansas and Tolleston High School in Gary, Indiana. She was a daughter, loving sister - being the eldest of 22 siblings - mother, grandmother, and friend.  She cherished her family.  Charlene was a quiet, private person and a lover of peace that she found in Jesus. Charlene was a very hard worker.  She retired from Chandlers-formerly known as Helena Sportswear and Bobbie Brooks.  After retirement, she wasn’t ready to just sit at home, so she worked for BPS and took on a paper route with The Daily World.  She eventually passed that job on to her grandchildren. Charlene married the love of her life, John A. Washington Jr., who preceded her in death.  She birthed four children – Darrell (Michelle) Yancey, John (Linda) Washington III, Lora Washington, and James (Mary) Washington.  With that bond of marriage, she gained four more children – Bruce Hudson, Anthony Lewis, Virginia (W.C.) Conley, and Charles Hardison.  After John’s passing, she later married Isaiah Brundige who also preceded her in death. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, eleven siblings: Lawrence and Nathan Manney, Johnnie Mae Bryant, Leroy, Floyd, Joe Jr., and Odell Parker, Quetta Danley, Larry and Timothy Edwards, two grandchildren, and several sisters and brothers-in law, aunts and uncles. Charlene leaves to treasure her legacy her children – Darrell, John, Lora, James, Bruce, Tony, Virginia, and Charles – her brothers – Oscar (Kathleen) Edwards, Leo (Betty) Parker, Kenneth (Tracy) Edwards, Reginald Edwards, Napolean (Sheryl) Parker, and Steve Edwards – her sisters – Evergene Best, Gloria (Roosevelt) Lindsey, Beverly Harvey Hughes, Joann (Jack) Sneed, Eloise Parker, and Pamela Edwards.  She leaves three aunts that were like her sisters – Wade Ella Davis, Geraldine Perry, and Lorraine Hudson – one uncle – Earnest Thomas – 34 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends.