Anna Jane Rabon Washington, 92
Old teachers never die, they are transferred to a different class of life.
Last week, Monroe said farewell to one of its veteran educators, Mrs. Anna Jane Rabon Washington, who died at the age of 92.
Services for Mrs. Washington were held Thursday, June 4, 1998 at the Dyer Chapel C.M.E. Church, with Reverend Terence Flucas officiating.
She was buried in the Richwood Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Washington, in her time, was viewed as one of a generation of teachers who gave of themselves above and beyond the call of duty.
Teaching was viewed as almost a religious "calling" rather than a secular profession.
She taught in the the Ouachita Parish school system for 41 years.
Her official obituary read as follows:
"A devoted and dedicated life came to an end Thursday, May 28, 1998.
Sister Anna Jane Rabon Washington was born January 5, 1906, in Calhoun, La., to the union of the late Jennie Square and Joe Rabon.
Her father passed when she was very young.
She was reared by her mother and step-father, Berry Square.
She met and married Mr. Willie E. Washington, December 24, 1933.
They were married fifty-three (53) years.
Her pet name for him was "Pop".
He was the love of her life.
She was a faithful member of the Dyer Chapel C.M.E. Church, until her health failed and her family moved her to Shreveport, La.
She served as Stewardess and on other church committees.
She went to Grambling Boarding School for high school.
She was with the first graduating class of Grambling State University in 1924.
A Master's Degree was earned from the University of Arkansas.
She started teaching in the early 1920's and worked in the Ouachita Parish School System 41 years.
She was a dedicated worker and educator.
She focused her interest on children and was kind to all, but ruled with a firm hand.
She was loved by her students.
On many occasions, she has written poems, speeches, and songs for some as adults.
She was affiliated with: Monroe Grambling Chapter Links, Inc., Zeta Phi Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Life Membership Grambling State University, Life Membership St. John Lodge Chapter #7 O.E.S. and many religious and civic organizations.
Sister Washington leaves to cherish her memory: a daughter, Willie Lee (Joseph) Kemp of Shreveport, La., grandchildren: Niccie B. Johnson, reared by the Washingtons, and Randy (Clara) Woodard of Shreveport, La., Larry (Zelma) Johnson, Donna Lisa (Grady) Thomas, and Irma Dean Beasley of Mesquite, Texas; Sherry Kaye Jacobs, Jerry (Barbara) Haynes and Willie E. (Bonnie) Small, of Dallas, Texas; Willie Roy (Gracie) Woodard of West Monroe, La., Randy (Clara) Woodard of Shreveport, La., Brenda Wells of New Orleans, La., Myra Lynn (Wesley) Austin of Houston, Texas, a host of other relatives and friends."
Michael L. Washington, 24
Michael L. Washington of Monroe, died Thursday, May 29, 1998.
Smith Funeral Home.
Wesley Infant
The infant son of Alicia Wesley of Monroe, died Monday.
Graveside services: Friday, June 5, 1998, Monroe City Cemetery, Powell Street Extension.
Hester State Funeral Home.
Walter Abram, 85
Walter Abram of Monroe, a self-employed businessman, died Saturday, June 6, 1998.
Funeral: Friday, June 12, 1998 at Truevine Baptist Church.
Burial: J.S. Clark Cemetery under direction of Miller Funeral Home.
Miller Funeral Home.
Booker T. Alexander, 92
Booker T. Alexander of Monroe, a retired drywall plasterer, died Saturday, June 13, 1998.
Funeral: Thursday, June 18, 1998 at the Flowery Mount Baptist Church.
Burial: Magnolia Cemetery.
Hester Central State Funeral Home.
Dill Alford, 63
Dill Alford of Monroe, a laborer, died Saturday, June 13, 1998.
Smith Funeral Home.
George Breckenridge, 80
George Breckenridge of Monroe, a maintenance man, died Sunday, June 14, 1998.
Smith Funeral Home.
Francis Flounder, 84
Francis Flounder of Monroe, a homemaker, died Sunday, June 14, 1998.
McFarland Funeral Home.
Mary T. Glenn, 88
Mary T. Glenn of Monroe, a homemaker, died Friday, June 12, 1998.
Smith Funeral Home.
Cleveland Jackson, 80
Cleveland Jackson of Monroe, a retired Riverwood employee, died Thursday, June 11, 1998.
Funeral: Wednesday June 19, 1998 at the St. Phillips Baptist Church in Monroe.
Burial: King David Hopewell Cemetery.
Tennant Funeral Home.
Florine Jackson, 56
Florine Jackson of Monroe, a hospital housekeeping employee, died Thursday [June 11, 1998].
Funeral: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Springhill Baptist Church.
Burial is at the Richwood Memorial Gardens.
Miller Funeral Home.
Sequoia D. Marshall, infant
Sequoia Deshay Marshall, the infant daughter of Karen Marshall of West Monroe, died June 8 [1998].
Smith Funeral Home.
Letha Marks, 93
Letha Marks of Monroe, a homemaker, died Monday, June 15, 1998.
Hester Central State Funeral Home.
Janice Mays, 35
Janice Mays of Monroe, a homemaker, died Friday, June 12, 1998.
Tennant Funeral Home.
Mary Louise McClinton, 67
Mary Louise McClinton of Monroe, a homemaker, died Friday, June 12, 1998.
Funeral: Tuesday, June 16, 1998 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Burial: Richwood Memorial Gardens.
Miller Funeral Home.
LaSable Rollins, infant
LaSable Rollins, the infant son of Kymira Rollins of Monroe, died Thursday, June 11, 1998.
Funeral: Graveside services Tuesday, June 16, 1998.
Hester Central State Funeral Home.
Sidney Smith, 63
Sidney Smith, a mail carrier, formerly of Monroe, died Sunday, June 7, 1998 in Beaumont, Texas.
Smith Funeral Home.
L. V. Strickland, 58
L.V. Strickland of Monroe, a maintenance operator, died Friday, June 12, 1998.
Smith Funeral Home.
Charles Thissel, 73
