April 7, 1913 – March 19, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Annie Bell Washington, 98, of Bay City, Texas, who died Monday, March 19, 2012, in Wharton, Texas, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. James Washington, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Bateaste Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and again from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at King Solomon Baptist Church.

Mrs. Washington was born April 7, 1913, in Adams County, the daughter of Henry Davis Sr. and Luberta Davis. She was a homemaker and a member of King Solomon Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church in Bay City. She was also a member of Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 Order of Eastern Star.

Mrs. Washington enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, crafts and volunteer work.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Engle Washington Sr.; two sons, Engle Washington Jr. and Amin Muhammad; and one daughter, Thelma L. Johnson.

Survivors include three daughters, Beatrice Hillard of Jacksonville, Fla., Helen J. Smith and husband, Willie Sr., of Bay City and Rose M. Free and husband, Frankie, of Springfield, Va.; four sons, JC Washington of Natchez, Claudie Washington and wife, Maxine, of Duluth, Minn., William H. Washington and wife, Joyce, of Manassas, Va., and Melvin K. Washington of Glendale, Wis.; one son-in-law, CM Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio; three sisters, Mamie David of Cleveland, Lenora Butler and husband, Andrew, of Natchez and Versie David of Chicago; one brother, John Davis of Natchez; 41 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.