Mrs. Willie B. Harness-Washington

HARNESS-WASHINGTON, Mrs. Willie - Age 85, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2013 at her residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, January 4 2014 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave. with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Woody Etherly, Jr. officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mrs. Washington will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Mrs. Willie B. Harness-Washington was born on October 5, 1928 in Jayess, Mississippi, the daughter of Mr. Callie Harness and Elnora Harness. Willie was a long standing member Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle where she served many years on the Mother’s Board and sung in the Choir. She retired in 1994 after 43 ½ years of service from Fisher Body 1, a division of General Motors. She enjoyed volunteering for the community as well as church functions. Willie was a kind and loving person who was willing to help anyone in need. She leaves to cherish in her memory: daughter, Katherine Harness-Hayes (fiancé, Gordon Lawson); 5 step-children, Roger, Aaron, Lawrence and Christopher Washington and Olivian Waters all of Milwaukee, WI; 2 granddaughters, LaKeisha Hayes of Saginaw, MI and Chantel Harness-Jackson of Danville IL; grandson, Deondre Harness, Sr. of Saginaw, MI; 12 great-grandchildren, Reodis, Tanijah and Janila Hayes, Ouentavia Henry, Jabrea Blackwell and Donesha Bulger II, all of Saginaw, MI; Antwon Knight, Sr., Deontanyae Sibley, Deondre, Jr. and Drevion Harness, Dontasia and Dazhane Jackson, all of Danville, IL; great-great-grandson, Antwon Knight, Jr. of Danville, IL; 2 sisters, Celestine Cowart and Ethelen (Prentiss) Harris and brother, Leeatton Harness all of Jayess, MS; sister-in-law, Earnestine Washington; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins including special cousin, Cliteal Carter of Monroe, LA; special friends, Rev. Woody Etherly, Gordon Lawson, Carrie White, Shon Coffee, Susie Timmons, Ceolia Mosley, Julia Bailey and Kenneth Wright. Mrs. Harness-Washington was preceded in death by: husband, Jessie Washington; parents, Callie and Elnora Harness; brothers, Jewel and C.L. Harness; great-granddaughter, Donesha “SugarLump” Bulger I; stepsons, Jessie “Jimmy” Washington and Wayne Washington; The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Paul Musson and especially the ICU Unit at Hurley Medical Center, The Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Church Family, and the Staff of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

Mrs. Willie B. Harness-Washington

October 5, 1928 - December 22, 2013