GENEVA GASS WASHINGTON

Geneva Gass Washington, affectionately called "Sister," was born Dec. 18, 1944, in Sumter, the first born to her lovely parents, the late Lawrence Green and Evestar Gass Wells. She departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.

She attended the public schools of Sumter County. As a young child, Geneva began her spiritual journey at Salem Missionary Baptist Church. In October 1972, she joined St. Paul Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Elder Susie R. Butler and Elder Mark Pierson. She served faithfully under the leadership of her sister, the late Pastor Shirley Holliday. In November 2011, Mother Washington was led by the spirit of God to fellowship with Tabernacle Pentecostal Holiness Church of Columbia under the leadership of Bishop Joseph Brunson.

She met and married the love of her life, Lindsay, on Feb. 10, 1959, and to this union 12 children were born.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory: her husband of 60 years, Lindsay; seven daughters, Melinda (Larry) China of the home, Linda (Bishop Joseph) Brunson of Columbia, Betty (Pastor Barrington) Pierson, Marilyn (Timothy) Vaughn, Patricia (Leroy) Pierson, Yvonne (Marcell) Sams and Yvette (Lorenzo) Vaughn, all of Sumter; four sons, Charles (Shelia) Washington of Sumter, Eddie (Lori) Washington, Michael (Gloria) Washington of Columbia and Matthew (Tamara) Washington of Wappingers Falls, New York; a special granddaughter, Calandra (Henry) Witherspoon of Columbia; a special grandson, Delvin China of the home; seven brothers, Leon Gass, Anthony Wells, Jimmy Wells and Leroy Wells, all of Sumter, Oliver Wells and Andrew Wells of Los Angeles, California, and Henry Green Sr. of Lee County; one sister, Jessie Mae (Michael) Frierson of Sumter; one aunt, Eva Mae Shivers of Sumter; two uncles, James (Evelyn) Gass of New York and Eugene Gass of Virginia Beach, Virginia; six sisters-in-law, Lillian Washington, Ruth Jackson, Naomi Rush, Betty Lou Burch, Francis Mack and Theodosha Washington, all of Sumter; 33 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; special friends, Queenie James, Hattie Lewis and Viola Pierson of Sumter; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, spiritual children, great caregivers and nurses.

In addition to her maternal and paternal grandparents and parents, Geneva was preceded in death by a daughter, Gwendolyn Diaz; two grandchildren, Morgan and Caleb Washington; one great-grandchild, Davon Prioleau; two sisters, Pastor Shirley Holliday and Cathy Wesley; a brother, Eugene Wells; and a special friend, Mother Louise Brunson.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.

Mother Washington will be placed in the church at noon on Friday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., Sumter, SC 29150. Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the home, 574 Covington St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.