Brenda Bridges Washington

Brenda Bridges Washington found eternal peace with God on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. She was born on November 16, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A long-time native of New Orleans, she was the daughter of Estelle Duncan Bridges (New Orleans, Louisiana) and Wellington Bridges (Idabel, Oklahoma). Growing up in uptown New Orleans, she was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and Straight Business School. Before attending Straight Business School, she was an assistant paraprofessional at McDonogh #42 for 2 years. After attending Straight Business School, she worked for New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation (NOLAC) (presently Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation) as a secretary and manager of the word processing unit, which eventually led to her appointment as the executive legal secretary to the director. She retired in 2011 after over forty (40) years of service to NOLAC. She is predeceased by her mother, Estelle Duncan Bass: her father, Wellington Bridges; her sister, Carol Jean Blackmon; her aunts, Helen K. Sexton and Serena Duncan and her uncle, Thomas Duncan, Sr. From her union with Raymond Washington came three children: Damian L. Washington, Ramona D. Washington and Keisha A. Washington. She had a grandson that she adored, Bryce C. Bridges. She leaves behind to grieve her loss her children, her grandson and her great-aunt, Marjorie M. Howze and three siblings: her brother, Samuel L. Tate, Jr (Thelma); her sister, Sheila B. Harrell; and her brother, David A. Bass, Jr. (Rosetta); her godchildren, Jermaine Harrell and Rhea Gavins, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She possessed a creative spirit in designing custom made wedding flowers, wreaths, and table arrangements which provided those who admired her craft with lasting memories for special occasions. Friends and family were drawn to her genuine and authentic personality and advice, cooking, house décor and event planning skills. Brenda will be greatly missed by many as she was a woman of sophistication, strength, perseverance, love, peace, loyalty, kindness, gentleness and wisdom. The family would like to extend an invitation to her services to any and all that knew her and to those who worked at McDonogh #42 and New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation (presently Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation). A special thank you is extended to Heart of Hospice in providing her end of life care up until her peaceful transition, as well as to family members and friends who continued to call, visit and pray for her. Services honoring her memory and homegoing will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 10:00am-11:00am with visitation being held from 9:00am-10:00am at St. Jude Catholic Church (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church) located at 411 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. Interment will follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery at 4000 Norman Mayer Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to share online condolences.