Marjorie Elizabeth Washington

Marjorie Elizabeth Washington, 95, of Kansas City, Missouri, transitioned peacefully at home on March 22, 2023.

Marjorie was born January 9, 1928, in Boone County, Missouri to the union of Charles Emerson Davis and Ida Mae Crosswhite Davis. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 10 following church service at Thompson Temple Church of God in Christ in Columbia, Missouri. Marjorie attended Frederick Douglas School in Columbia, Missouri, the only school available to African Americans, from kindergarten to 9th grade. In 1943 she married, and the couple with their son moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Shortly afterward, her husband left to serve the country during WWII. Upon his return, the family expanded to five and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Widowed in 1951, Marjorie remarried on May 1, 1969, to Melvin James Washington, Sr. They remained married until his death on February 3, 1983.

While her first husband served the country during WWII, Marjorie entered the workforce and was employed by the iconic Kansas City bakery Wolferman’s. She continued to work several restaurant and factory jobs to provide for her family until 1963, when she began a long career at St. Joseph Hospital in the food service division. Promoted to Food Service Manager on February 23, 1965, Marjorie was the first African American to hold this position. In 1978 she was recognized as Employee of the Year and when she retired in 1983, Marjorie was the Assistant Food Service Director. 

Having an entrepreneurial spirit, many will know Mrs. Washington was the owner/operator of Nana’s Daycare for ten years.  She catered weddings and small events, and sold Avon, where she excelled in sales during the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 sales cycles.  For her accomplishments, Marjorie was named to the President’s Recognition Program. Marjorie enjoyed cooking, traveling, and serving in the church outside of work. 

At Calvary Chapel COGIC, she was an active member of the Mother’s Board until she suffered a stroke in June 2017. Before joining Calvary Chapel, Marjorie was a member of other COGIC churches in Kansas City, Missouri. Called to service, she participated in the Communion process and comforted the family members of others during Repast services.

Preceding Marjorie in death are her parents, husbands, son Clarence Charles Tilford; two grandsons, Terrance C. Swinney and Jadahn Valentine; four brothers, Billy C. Davis, Wallace Davis, Wilbert Davis, S. Francis Turner, and one sister, Anniece Greene.

Marjorie leaves to cherish her memory six daughters: Brenda (Eric) Rue, Rita Henderson, and Karen Williams, all of Kansas City, MO;  Angela (Cecil) Tooley of Raytown, MO; Margaret (David) Stockdale of Lee’s Summit, MO; June Nelson of Atlanta, GA; two sons, Paul (Cheryl) Tilford Sr. of Raytown, MO, and Melvin (Jackie) Washington, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; step-daughter Barbara Ann Washington; 22 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Rose Elaine (Allen) Daniels; her special angel, Vivian Goodwin; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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