Deacon Daniel Washington

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. — II Timothy 4:6,7 DANIEL WASHINGTON, son of the late Johnny and Ester Washington was born on July 14, 1935 in Jamestown, South Carolina. He departed his life of 78 years very peacefully on December 11, 2013 after a lengthy illness. He was educated in the public schools of South Carolina. Daniel accepted Christ at an early age as the Lord of his life! At the age of eighteen, he married his childhood sweetheart, Beatrice Beckett. To this union they were blessed with six children. Daniel worked in construction for several years and retired from The Maryland Slag Company. Upon moving to Baltimore, Md., Daniel made Ray of Hope Baptist Church his home in 1979. He was ordained as Deacon under the tutelage of Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Charles M. Franklin Sr., in 1991. He also served as the church’s environmental engineer, bus driver, and President of the Male Chorus. He was a loyal and dedicated church member. You would see him on any given Sunday; rain, snow, sleet or hail driving the church bus through neighboring areas picking up or dropping off church members who had no means of transportation. He was a man of great faith and believed in the saving grace of God who sustained him in the good times as well as the bad; he never lost the sight of God. Daniel was the confidante of many of his friends and family. He had a listening ear and heard the troubles of many and was not afraid to give honest advice. Once you confided in him, you never heard it again. Daniel Washington was well known throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. He was a true headliner even though it was about God alone and his ministry with the Male Chorus of the Ray of Hope Baptist Church. He ministered to the saved and unsaved souls through song. When he stepped up to the mike to sing, God instantly transformed him. Using his God given talent; his boisterous second tenor voice, he would begin his signature song, “When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus.” By the time he reached the third word of the song, the congregation would be on their feet praising God. He would run, jump, and just rub his head in the presence of God. Be it, “In The Water,” or “Cooling Water” Daniel would end his songs saying, “Is that alright? Is that alright? Alright! Alright! Praise God!” Daniel was preceded in death by his two sons, Kenneth and Eric Washington. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Beatrice; two daughters, Diannette and Patrice Washington; two sons, Theodore Sr. and Timothy; two sisters, Glennie Broadnax and Martha Gadsden; one brother, Lee Thomas Washington; five grandchildren, Cordell, Theodore Jr., Aaron, Krystal Briscoe and Erica Whitley (Gerard); twelve great-grandchildren, Kenyona Wooley, De’Juan Clark Jr., Kaire, Colin, Marcus, Aaron, Donaven, Daniel, Kenden, T’aisha, Aaliyah and Tahi T. Washington; two aunts, Bernice Hawkins (Charlotte, NC) and Frieda Canty (Jamaica, New York); three sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Beckett, Alberta Wiggins of Virginia Beach and Lillian Lee of Hartford, Connecticut; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Deacon Daniel Washington

July 14, 1935 - December 12, 2013