[Funeral Program for Charles H. Washington, November 10, 2007] Page: 2 of 5
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0va/i&A. 3Cem^ 69, returned to his Heavenly Father
November 2, 2007 after a brief hospitalization at the VA in San Antonio, Tex-
as. He was born March 21, 1938 to General and Dorothy Ballard Washing-
ton who preceded him in death. He received his early education within the
Hearne School System and graduated from Blacks hear High School in 1956.
He went on to attend and graduate from the University of Texas in 1961. He
was one of the first black students to successfully complete the requirements
for a degree in Music, where his principal instrument was the Euphonium. He
went on to attend the Naval School of Music. He always found a way to do
difficult things with dignity, honor and excellence.
(2fvcvi£e& excelled as a professional jazz musician and vocalists; and was
beginning to make a name in the music industry, when during his service in
the military he met and married Mary Turner of Huntsville, Alabama. To that
union four children were born. Nina Shirl, Laynette Caprice, Felicia Yudette,
and Tishauna Marcheryl, or as he affectionately called them Daughters #1,
#2, #3, and #4. The opportunity to be a father proved to be one his greatest
loves. There was no opportunity he squandered to share with anyone he met
of the accomplishments and love he held for his girls.
(£&az£e& was a band director and instructor of math in the San Antonio
Independent School District for more than 28 years. He worked at Dunbar
Middle School, and retired from his position at Jefferson Davis Middle School
in the early 80's. It was then that Charles entered a third career in Insurance
Sales where he enjoyed a great measure of success and eventually opened the
Washington Insurance Agency. During this time his love of music was never
spared. For more than 35 years he taught music privately to generations of
families in the San Antonio community at the Washington Music Studio.
3Cuv love for his family always led his decisions. He enjoyed years of
fame and prestige in the music industry, but once he became a husband and
father he rerouted his own ambitions to be a provider and present figure in his
home for his children. His life principles and the foundation of His wisdom
that led his decision making came from his parents and them introducing him
to Jesus Christ as His Savior. He in turn not only helped ready his children
for Sunday School and Sunday Worship he attended with them. Teaching them
to take 10% of their allowance and contributing that dime on a dollar as their
tithe and allowing them to determine their own offering.
and Mary were married just 12 years at the time of her death.
It was a very difficult time for Charles and the entire Washington, Conley,
Turner and Ballard families. As the families pulled together to help Charles
raise four daughters under 12, he made a pivotal decision. To never allow his
girls to be separated, and to always and at all times be with them until they
were able to be on their own. Just three years prior, his best friend James
Logan and the godfather of his daughters had experi-
enced a similar loss in the passing of his wife Martha.
During the bereavement period it was decided that the
six girls should remain together as a family. April and
Loretta joined their four sisters in one household. The
now six girls, were together and "Big Daddy" as he
was called, provided for them all. Daddy Logan soon
after purchased a home just a few doors down. The
girls matriculated through elementary, middle and
high school as one family.
the death of his first wife, Charles met and
married Sharlotte Hackney Rutledge. To this union the
four girls were now joined with a brother Warren Rut-
ledge. The family of seven grew and prospered in their education and in their
musical talents. For the four girls, each was introduced to the disciplined
life of musician at four years old when they were enrolled as students in the
Yamaha music program. Each of the five children as they grew selected a
principal instrument, and in the Washington home there were always sounds
of music. During one season, Charles enjoyed watching all five of his chil-
dren from eight years to sixteen years old play in the San Antonio Youth Phil-
harmonic together. A feat never seen until then to see five siblings audition
and be selected to participate.
Sii their church, it was a blessing to hear the musicianship and the vocal
harmonies of the " Washington Seven. " The accompaniment of their mother
Sharlotte on piano, Nina and Felicia on clarinet, Warren on drums, Laynette
on flute and Tishauna on violin was an experience the family also cherished
for many years. Charles always admired and was forever grateful for Shar-
lotte s influence and love for his girls. The Hackney, Rutledge and Washing-
ton families continue to enjoy a harmonious relationship over the past three
decades.
1992 Charles met his very best friend, and soul mate in Mable Da-
vis Washington of Snowhill, Alabama. She and Charles enjoyed 16 years of
marriage. They enjoyed sharing their now five children as Mable s daughter
Maria Johnson became one of "the girls " along with her husbandAlvin, chil-
dren Monica and Nicholas, and recent addition great-granddaughter Nalani
Martinez.
(2hax£e& always foundjoy in offering his talents as a vocalists and musician
in the church. He was often asked to sing for musicals and special programs.
The Mt. Zion Church Family long fell in love with his amazing vocal abilities.
For many years he was able to offer his gift of song to many audiences. His
smooth baritone voice touched the hearts of many.
£B uXJba, became his new identity as he entered the world of being a grand-
parent. He recalled often that as he laid in Alaska in the military as was told
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[Funeral Program for Charles H. Washington, November 10, 2007], pamphlet, November 10, 2007; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth248047/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting San Antonio Public Library.