Mary Beeler Washington-Winbush

WinbushMary e1512518536960

“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 17th, 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

 

Condolence Messages

  1. Rev. Amantha Barbee

    There is no love like the love of a mother. My heart is with you as well as my prayers of comfort. Robina, you are loved.

  2. Good morning Rev. Sister Robina and love ones,
    My sister, Doris, and I share your loss and send you our deepest sympathy,

    As you walk the labyrinth of grief, may your knowledge that your friends are praying without ceasing be a solace to you.
    Much love,
    Katie

  3. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Mary and although I didn’t see her often I would always ask Robina how is her mom, those updates always came with Robina’s beautiful smile shining from her eyes as well, same as her Mom. Ms. Mary is in heaven now shining her light and that light will remain in her family and everyone else that was privileged to interact with Ms. Mary. My condolences .

  4. REV. FAHED ABUAKEL

    Dear Robina & family in Christ
    Mary & fahed pray for U asking God to comfort your hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for your mother & grandmother for:
    Her life love for God in Jesus Christ
    Her love for U & your family
    Her love for the church & the people of God
    Her Love for ministry & mission
    Her love for the community
    Thank God for her long life of faith in the living Christ who said ” I am the way, I am the truth & I am life” yes life now & life after
    death. May the name of Christ be praised.
    Prayers & love
    Mary Zumot & fahed Abuakel, Atlanta, GA

  5. I know that your mother was a wonderful woman because she raised a wonderful woman in you Rev Robina! May she rest in heavenly peace.

  6. Elder Margaret L Santos

    To the Family. Thank you for sharing in words and thought of the blessed wonderful christian life of your Mother, Aunt Grandmother and friend.
    Elder Marge Santos

  7. May you be comforted by knowing that others care. You will be comforted also as you remember her witness and service that served as a trajectory for your witness.
    Blessings on you in these special days ahead.

  8. Thank God for Mary Beeler Washington-Winbush’s life. Her testimony to life and Faith is rich.

    Eugene Turner

  9. Waukiina Allen-Curtis

    Donald and Robina, may care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most sincere condolences.

  10. My heart is full of joy that I am privileged to have known and been loved by this awesome woman.

    My heartfelt sympathies and hugs to my friend Robina and her family. I wish that I could be with you to celebrate your Mom’s life and be part of your circle of strength.

    Much love!

  11. Condolences and prayers going up for my dear friend Donald and his sister Robina. Much love to you.

  12. Beverly Coleman

    My Dear Friend Donald Winbush & Family,
    May The Peace Of God Wrap You In His Loving Care As You Celebrate The Transition Of Your Mother Into The Loving Care Of Our Heavenly Father.
    Hugs & Much Love,
    Charles & Beverly Coleman

  13. Garland F. Pierce

    Dearest Robina and Washington-Winbush Family,

    Please know that prayers of comfort and peace abound for you today and the days to come.

    Blessings,

  14. Prayers and Praises for her life, legacy and the seeds that she has planted. As she begins to receive her
    “Well Done” and rests in his arms. Leave on Angel. Enjoy your journey walking around heaven.

  15. To the family of Mary, you have my condolences in your loss. God blessed Mary with 95 years of life, as Psalm 90:10 says, “The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong.” The Methuselah tree is 4,849 years old, so does that not confirm God’s purpose for his most prized creation, humans, were created to live forever here on the earth? By means of God’s Kingdom, all His promises will come true (Psalm 37:29; Genesis 1:28, 29).

  16. Minister Thomas Vincent Derr

    To Donald and rev Robina your mother will be missed May God bless and keep the both of you in his hands

  17. My deepest condolences, prayers, and love for you Rev. Robina and your family in the passing from this life into eternal life with an Amazing Heavenly Father who still holds your mom in His Hands and won’t let go. Your mom was a “woman of light.”
    Minister Johnny Young
    Louisville, Kentucky

  18. My sincere condolences go out to Robina and her family on the passing of your mom. I am privileged to have met her. May God grant you many pleasant memories of a life well lived.

  19. What a long and interesting life “MARY” lived. She was given what the Bible call “special mightiness”(Psalms 90:10). May you cherish every memory of hers and may those memories fill your heart and mind with joy and laughter as you reminisce about her life.You’ve been promised a hope of a resurrection at (John 5:28,29).May you look toward that hope.I’m sorry for your loss.

  20. So sorry for your loss. Hang in there. It is not easy I know. One day at a time.

Leave Your Condolence

*