Queen Esther Washington

Queen E. Washington was born on August 13, 1933 to the late Elreather and Houston Clayton in Clarendon, Arkansas. She was the fourth child of six children. Queen Esther was affectionately nicknamed Bo.

She attended Everett Pinkley Elementary School, then went on to Clarendon High School.

Bo joined Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age. She loved to dress ‘to the nines’ in coordinated hat, purse and shoes when going to church. Folks would often say, “There goes Miss Bo”. She was also a devoted Bible reader. She told everyone she talked to with “Child, it’s praying time”. Bo loved her church and Pastors.

Queen met and married Willie Gray. To that union a daughter was born. Bo lived in Clarendon all of her life. To her there was ‘no place like Clarendon’. Bo later married Charley Washington. They had a long life together until his death. She was employed by Piers Manufacturers for twenty-five years until her retirement.

Queen took good care of her Mom and Dad when they became unable to care for themselves. She was preceded in death by her parents and her four siblings  Roosevelt, Clarence, Huston II (Pete) and Juanita.

Bo’s hobbies were cooking, cleaning her house and arranging all the little do-dads (aka ‘dust catchers’) she had around. She was a great cook; she made the best cakes and pies. Her Grandma Wonder Pound Cake couldn’t be beat!

In later years, along life’s journey, Queen courageously dealt with her health challenges. But she always looked forward to the joy of visits from friends and family. No matter how she was feeling, she would always try to have food available for her guests.

Queen departed this life on February 11, 2019 at 1:41PM. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Willie Mae Owens; step son Robert; step daughter Johnnie Mae; granddaughters Vicki (Jerry) Slaughter, Tameko (Nicholas) Murry, and Kyra Owens; ten great grandchildren Santana, Windell, Darren, Delvin, Tai Toya, NicQuayla, Nicholas, Marjay Vius, Shanyia, and Tidavien; two great great grandchildren Gavin and Preston; sister Ella Petty of Los Angeles, CA; special friend Hollie West;  and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Special thanks to those angels of support Curtis Petty, Percil Owens, Antigua Clayton, and the Baptist Hospital Medical team and support staff. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Queen Esther Washington, please visit our floral store.