Dr. Justine Wilkinson Washington

Devoted Educator AUGUSTA, Ga. - Dr. Justine Wilkinson Washington, a long time Georgia educator who helped transform educational systems benefiting African American students from the days of segregation in the mid thirties through the post-segregation era until the mid 90s, died of natural causes at University Hospital on Saturday, November 20, 2004. She was 96. Dr. Washington grew up in a small town in Georgia and blossomed into a devoted educator for over six decades, recognized throughout the state and region. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 8, 1908 to the late Rev. and Mrs. Charles Wilkinson of Grantville, Georgia. She grew up in Athens, Georgia where she attended elementary and high school, at Union Institute, and graduated as the Salutatorian of her class. She continued her education at Spelman College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English in 1930. Having a love for music spurred from piano lessons as a ch ild she took piano and violin lessons and sang in choir while at Spelman. After graduating from Spelman she taught History, English, French and Hebrew at her hometown high school Union Institute as well as playing piano, organ and conducting the high school and church choirs. She then taught at the Greer Rosenwald High School in Belton, South Carolina and the Anderson County Training School in Pendleton, South Carolina. Her success in the classroom led to her appointment as a Jeanes Supervisor of Teachers in the 84 rural schools for Negroes of Aiken County. Her work to help the teachers become better resulted in more teachers completing two and four year colleges, teaching the teachers at Bettis Academy in Edgefield County, S.C. during the summer, gathering supplies for teachers talking with parents, etc. She served in that position for 23 years from 1936-1959 operating off the motto 'The Next Needed Thing.' In later work she completed Special Workshops in Supervision of Elementary Schools at South Carolina State College and Hampton Institute in 1938. Upon being offered the opportunity to teach at the college level, she matriculated at the Atlanta University earning a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision of Elementary Schools in 1948. in 1959, she was one of eight selected by the Southern Education Foundation to pioneer a racially integrated setting in doctoral programs across the country. From her assignment to the University of Kentucky she received a Special Certificate for Postgraduate Study in Education and Sociology. The Southern Education Foundation then secured an appointment for her at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia where she taught from 1961-63 before taking a leave of absence to attend the University of Oklahoma on an I.B.M. Faculty Fellowship to complete a Doctor of Education Degree in 1965. She returned to Paine and served as Assistant Professor of Education, taught various courses in Education and Psychology and chaired t he Division of Education and Psychology. In 1981 she retired and became a professor emeritus. Continuing her commitment to education, in 1972 she was the first female African American to serve on the Richmond County Board of Education for which she was elected and served for 21 years, in which, two of the years were as Vice-President and her final two years as President. A few of the numerous awards she received include: Georgia School Boards Association Service Award, 1985; The Mary Lou Reynolds Award In Recognition of Extraordinary Service To Fellowmen and The Augusta Chapter Of The American Red Cross, 1988; Outstanding Board Member of The Year District 10, 1989; Women Of Excellence Award, 1989; Augusta Unit Of Social Workers, Citizen of The Year, 1995; and a Commission by Governor Joe Frank Harris and later by Governor Zell Miller to serve on the Georgia Human Relation Commission, 1992-1994. Her autobiography reflects upon the passions that governed her life: the search for knowled ge, unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind, honesty and her father's 'Show me what you've done' admonition. She states that she did not want to have to rant and rave telling people what she had done but rather show them instead. Mission accomplished. Dr. Washington was married for almost 60 years to the late Dr. Isaiah 'Ike' Washington, former Augusta City Councilman and also long time devoted educator whom she enjoyed life and traveled the world with. She is survived by devoted cousins, Julia Cleste Robinson, Pasadena, Calif.; adopted children, Cynthia D. Sims, Vivian Allen Dixon, Hampton, Va., Deborah Sims Beck (Welby Beck), Dallas, Texas, Reginald Brown, Dallas, Texas, Anita Dixon, Woodbridge, Va., Brittni Dixon-Smith, Woodbridge, Va.. Millicient Dixon (Paul) Lundy, Yokota, Japan, Cordelia Allen, Athens, Ga., Anthony Allen, Athens, Ga., Charles Allen, Petersburg, Va., Chanyse Allen, Athens, Ga., Deborah Austin, Hephzibah, Ga., Soloman Walker, Augus ta, Ga.; Goddaughters, Wendolyn Murphy (William) Harding, Atlanta, Ga., Wanda Harding, Orlando, Fla., Tonja H. Ward (Charlie), Houston, Texas; Tammy Evans Johnson, Augusta, Ga.; Inez Robertson; Church Goddaughter, Augusta, Ga.; God Children, Edward Fletcher, Martinez, Ga., and Will B. Evans, Augusta, Ga., and a host of other relatives, godchildren and friends. 'Remember, keep your chin up and put your best foot forward. You may move like an inch worm but you will get there.' Justine Wilkinson Washington, Ed. D. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 'Drs. Isaiah and Justine Washington College Scholarship' Alpha Mu Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 3110 Fir Court, Augusta, Ga., 30906. Funeral services will be held at the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel at Paine College on Saturday, November 27, 2004 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. J. Andrew Menger officiating. Interment will follow at Southview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, Novemb er 26, 2004 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Dents Funeral Home. The Historic Dents Undertaking Establishment Serving The CSRA Since The 1800's. 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