Nathaniel Johnell Washington Sr.

Nathaniel (“Johnell”, ”Nate”, “John”) Washington, Sr. was born to the late Nathan Washington and Alberta Harris Washington in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nathaniel accepted the Lord and was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church by the late Reverend Lawrence Landrum, Sr. At Ebenezer he worked with Pastor Landrum ministering to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. He became a member of the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church subsequent to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Nathaniel received his education at Craig Elementary School. He worked at the 7-Up soft drink plant as a Packer and retired after over 42 years’ service as a Mechanical Technician Foreman with Boh Brothers Construction Company. Nathaniel also worked as a driver working for Quest Diagnostics Laboratory as well as a Driver in the transportation services provided by his daughter Denise’s child care services in Atlanta. Nathaniel also worked for more than five years as a freelance photographer alongside his brother-in-law, Arthur. He was a life time member of the Longshoremen Labor Union and worked as a union organizer. He went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2015. He was a fun loving man, generous of spirit and kind to everyone. The apples of his eye are Denise, John-John, his grandchildren, Ashley, Dominique, and Shawntrice, as well as his great grandson, Bentley Nathaniel. Nathaniel was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Alberta Harris Washington, son, Nathaniel (“John-John”), brothers, Herman and James Washington, and sisters, Dorothy W. Caliste, Bertha W. Hall, and Roseanna W. Nash. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris Simpson Washington, daughter, Denise W. Addison, grand children, Ashley and Dominique Harris and Shawntrice James, and great grandson, Bentley Nathaniel Harris, sisters, Mary Lee Jacobs (Juno), and Georgia Collins, and one brother, Clarence Washington. He also is survived by five sisters-in-law, June C. Washington, Sandra Washington, Emelda S. Gould, Barbara Simpson, four brother-in-law, Otho Nash, Sr., Arthur Simpson, and George Simpson. He has a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, friends and family who mourn his loss. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend funeral services at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church 4128 Franklin Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122. Reverand Ronnie Vinson, Host Pastor and Pastor Terrance Ranson, Officiating. Visitation: 10:00am-11:00am. Interment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.