Joyce Ann Washington

At 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 15th, heaven opened and angels descended to escort Joyce Ann Dorsey Washington to her eternal home. She met Jesus, face to face, and He presented her faultless before His Father’s throne. She smiled radiantly as she heard the voice of God say, “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!” Her life’s journey began on March 27, 1948 when Joyce was born to the late Teresa Jones and William Dorsey in Baltimore, Maryland. During childhood, her family relocated to Randallstown, Maryland where she was nurtured and raised her grandmother, Mary Dorsey. Joyce attended Baltimore County Public Schools and graduated from Milford Mill High School in 1966. She graduated from the Baltimore School of Commerce with a degree in Business and she continued her education later in life, taking classes at Sojourner-Douglass College. Her business knowledge and skills culminated in thirty years of employment with Maryland National Bank, Nations Bank and Bank of America as a Teller, an Account Representative and Senior Customer Service Specialist. For five years she was employed through Nancy Adams Personnel. She excelled in administration, bookkeeping, and payroll management. Early in life, Joyce entered into an intimate, committed relationship with the Lord. For over fifty years, she was a member of Union Bethel A.M.E. Church in Randallstown. She served on the Steward Board, was head of the Usher Board, and managed the financial affairs of the church. She typed and produced the weekly church bulletins, organized the annual church picnic, and served wherever needed. On April 20, 1968, Joyce wed the late Chester A. Washington to whom she was married for forty-three years. From this union, two sons were born, Jonathan Andrew and Anthony William Washington. Joyce was a loving and devoted wife and mother who unceasingly prayed for, nurtured and raised her sons. She exemplified being disciplined in her faith and putting God first in every aspect of life. She was unselfish and humble. She consistently reminded her sons that they were rich in blessings. She loved unconditionally, looking beyond faults and seeing needs. Joyce was a mother to many from whom she commanded and received respect and graciously gave to others as if they were her own. She corrected, rebuked, and encouraged with great patience. In 2002, Joyce joined the Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church. She was part of the WAR ministry (Women About Results) and began as secretary to the Missionary Society. Recognizing her leadership gifts and talents, she was subsequently elected as president of the Missionary Society. On March 24, 2012, she was honored with a beautifully engraved award as President Emeritus of the Missionary Society of Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church. She initiated and organized fundraising trips to the White House and the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. She facilitated partnerships with homeless shelters that primarily housed women and children. She also organized a trip to Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, PA, one of the first African American churches in the country. During her lifetime, Joyce overcame many trials and tribulations. Her longest and toughest battle was with breast cancer. For ten years, she fought this battle with the courage and conviction of a champion prizefighter. She refused to give in and quit. The chemotherapy, blood transfusions, medications, and complications put her down but at the standing eight-count she kept getting back up, winning many victories along the way. She refused to allow negative people in her presence. She fought the good fight of faith with perseverance. Her strength inspired others. Through her pain and suffering, she laughed, mentored, counseled and ministered to whomever she met. As her earthly life faded, Joyce had a little talk with Jesus for she clearly understood the words written in II Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day…” Lord for this Godly woman we give You all glory, honor and praise! Her memory is cherished by: her sons, Jonathan and Anthony Washington; her goddaughter, Sherry Nolley; her stepmother, Edna Dorsey; her brothers, John Dorsey, Paul Dorsey, Jesse Leightner, Michael Leightner and Yusef Karriem; her sister, Vivian Leightner; her aunts, Anna Mae Wilson, Margaret Jones, Agnes Edwards and Eileen Moultrie; her uncles Bob and Arthur Jones; her sisters-in-law, Doris, Vernice, Cecelia, Ella, Eileen and Pamela Washington, Mary Lucas, Roberta Oriolowo, Tina Butler, Mary Dorsey and Valaida Leightner; brothers-in-law, William, Albert, Ralph and Worthington Washington and Joe Louis Butler; and a host of relatives and friends. Her sisters, Caryn Leightner and Mary Lou Butler predeceased her.

Tributes

Joyce Ann Washington

March 27, 1948 - April 15, 2012