Israel Washington

Funeral Services for Israel Washington, Sr, will be held Saturday, August 15, 2020, 1:00 PM at Greater St Stephens Baptist Church, Franklin, LA. (Mask are required)

Visitation will be Saturday, August 15, 2020, from 11:00 AM until the commencement of the funeral service at Greater St Stephens Baptist Church. (Mask are required)

Mr. Washington will be interred in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, Charenton, LA.

Israel "Big Joe" Washington Sr. 74 departed this life on Thursday, August 6, 2020 after a brief illness at Lafayette General Health Hospital. He was born on November 14, 1945 to the late Israel Louis and Pearly Mae Washington Louis. He accepted Christ and was Baptist at an early age. He was a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Paul Godfrey.

Israel married Lillie Mae Yelling Washington on February 26, 1966, and from this union eight children were born. He was self-employed with King Trucking for 40 years. Israel was a hard-working man that loved taking care of his family, growing his garden and watching his favorite team, The Pittsburgh Steelers, reading his Bible, praying, playing his two favorite songs "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" and "When The Gates Swing Open". He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle.

Among those left to cherish his memories is his devoted wife of 54 years, Lillie Mae Washington; eight sons Michael (Lisa) Smith of Patterson La., Israel Washington Jr. of Abbeville La., Kenneth (Sheryl) Washington of Franklin, La., Darrell (Evelyn) Washington of Berwick La., Andrew Washington of Jeanerette La., Ronald (Jennifer) Washington of Sorrell La., Lamonte Washington of Franklin, La., Doratio Washington of New Iberia, La., three daughters Ellenor Washington of Franklin, La., Veronica Smith and Paula Smith both of Patterson, La.; two brothers Ronnie Louis of Baldwin, La., and Irvin (Deonna) Louis of Centerville, La., one sister Joyce Louis of Franklin, La., 3 grandchildren that he help to rear, D'ionsei Washington, Quandrick Burrell and Shakala Washington.

He also leaves to cherish his memory 53 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, two special friends Keith Colar and Robert Brower, 4 God children, Rosetta Guilbeau, Keith Warner, Dwayne Freeman, and Felicia Peters and a host of nieces nephews other relatives and friends.

Israel was preceded in death by his parents, Israel Louis and Pearly Mae Washington Louis, one brother Wesley Louis, two sisters Stella Darby and Gracie Mae James, one grandson Andrew Washington Jr. and his paternal and maternal grandparents.