Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Visitation & Final Viewing: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM / Celebration of Life: 11:00 AM Community Church of God 13 Grant Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07112 Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III, Senior Pastor, Officiating Reverend Dr. James Dargan, DDPC, Pastor Emeritus, Eulogist
Music Prelude .................................................................................................................................................. Processional ................................................................................................ Clergy Officials & The Family Final Viewing ..............................................................................................................................Family Only Prayer of Invocation ............................................................................................... Reverend Ezekiel Hull Hymn of Hope ................................“Sweet Hour of Prayer” (Mother Washington’s favorite hymn) Scripture Readings Old Testament ............................................................................. Psalm 23 – First Lady Ikhisha McCall New Testament ............................................................................... John 14:1-6 – Deacon John Staten Prayer of Comfort ....................................................... Brother Herbert Hollingsworth, Trustee Chair Musical Tribute .........................................................................................Sister Roberta Nail (Daughter) Tributes ........................................................................................................ Two-minute limit, Thank you Family Tributes ................................................................................................................................................ Pastor’s Tributes......................... Reverend J-Anthony & Lady Madelin Dargan (New York Pastor) Congregational Church of God, New York, NY Acknowledgements of Cards and Letters ....................Sister Marlene Dunkley, Church Secretary Remembering Mother Washington ..................................................................... Lady Madelin Dargan Sermonic Selection .....................................................................................Minister Christine J. Dargan Message Comfort & Hope ........................................................... Reverend Dr. James Dargan, DDPC Funeral Director’s Remarks & Direction .......................................................... Nesbitt Funeral Home Recessional of The Clergy Officials & the Family ... “When We All Get Heaven” & “I’ll Fly Away”
Interment Fairlawn Memorial Cemetery 22-21 Maple Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Immediately after the interment, there will be a repast in the Reverend Charles People Fellowship Hall downstairs.
Early one blessed Friday morning at 8:00 AM, in the town of Florence, South Carolina on December 20, 1918, 48 days after the world conflict known as World War I had come to an end, Our Heavenly Father GOD of PEACE, gifted the world with Mother Isadora Washington. Mother Washington was the eldest of 12 children, seven daughters and five sons born to the late, Joseph “Joe” and Eugenia Johnson Mitchell. Like most African Americans born in her era, times were difficult and very challenging to say the least. Mother Washington, aka “Dora” or “Smoothy” a nickname given her by a relative in her youth, denoting the smoothness of her skin and soft outline attended “country school” but was not able to continue into high school because she needed to “stay home and take care of the family”. While in Florence, South Carolina, “Little Dora” attended the Wesley AME Church. In 1940, at the age of 23, “Dora” spread her wings and set off for New York City. “Dora” was married twice, her first marriage to Mr. Rufus Gore ended with his death after six years of marriage and then to Mr. Richard Washington, who also passed away after another six years of marriage. She was blessed with one daughter, Roberta Mitchell Taylor. Mother Washington’s years of employment included assignments as a domestic worker, a hotel worker, and a seamstress. She took great pride in saying “If something can be sewed, I can sew it”. Mother Washington worked in a coat factory and after 21 years of working in Diana Stores, she retired. In 1952, Mother Washington joined the Congregational Church of God located then at 227 Lenox Avenue. She was an active and dedicated member of Congregational for over 55 years under three pastors: the late, Reverend Dr. William Aaron; the late, Reverend Dr. Levorn Aaron; and Reverend J-Anthony Dargan. She has served tirelessly with the: Hospitality Club; the Every Ready Club (the Pastor’s Aid) under the leadership of the late Sister Ruth Aaron, the wife of Reverend Dr. William Aaron and the late Sister Betty Peoples, the wife of the late Reverend Charles People; the Mother’s Club; the Prayer Band; the Gospel Chorus & Senior Choir; the Women of the Church of God Ministry; the Diaconate Ministry, and the Sunday School Ministry.
Mother Washington’s commitment to the Lord’s work was anchored by her commitment to grow and study the Word, she attended and graduated from Manhattan Bible Institute under the renowned teaching of the late Dr. Edward H. Boice; and later approaching her 90s’, she attended the Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute under leadership of her pastor, Reverend J-Anthony Dargan. Mother Washington was always ready to proclaim to everyone about her hope in The Lord Jesus Christ with gentleness and respect. In 2010, Mother Washington joined Community Church of God under the leadership of Reverend Dr. James Dargan and later, under Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III after relocating to New Jersey. At the young age of 92, Mother Washington joyfully and faithfully served with the Senior Choir, the WCG, where she was honored as a life-time member; the Deacon & Deaconess Ministry; and whatever she could do until her health declined. Mother Washington had a great love for people. She has encouraged and mothered countless lives throughout her lifetime. If you needed a place to sleep and eat, you could always count on Dora to take care of you with no hesitation, she was truly one of heaven’s assistants here on earth. Isadora has created a legacy of not three, but four generations of children that have all had the opportunity to be touched and blessed by her “smooth” hands and love. Mother Washington was predeceased by four brothers, Joseph, John, David, and Bert Mitchell; three sisters, Jessie, Anna Jane, and Maggie; and grandson, Kenneth Nail. Mother Isadora Washington leaves to cherish her memories: her loving daughter, Roberta Nail. • Grandson, Jonathan (Cynthia) Nail; great grandchildren, Cashmier Nail, India Nail, Kayla Nail, and Kalum Nail; great-great grandchildren, Kensli Nail, Madison Savoy, and Kashmir Nail. • Grandson, Terrance Brown, great grandchildren, Shamora Brown, Major Brown, Isis Wesley, and Iesa Wesley. • Granddaughter, Kim Nail, great grandchildren, Idelle McCalum, and Joshua Nail, great-great grandson, Elijah McCalum. Three sisters, Eugenia Wilson (NJ), Ethel Lee (Simon) and Lillie Mae Richardson (SC). Brother, James Mitchell (NC); a host nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. It is an honor and pleasure, along with her many family and friends, to host this grand celebration of life. Not only do we mourn, because we will miss her, but we also smile with glee because she was blessed to live a long, long life, and if you know Dora, you know she is in Heaven with her Jesus and all the angels resting in the place that is her true home.