FAIRFAX - Sergeant first Class James Washington, 81, died Monday, March 8, 2010.
Mr. Washington was born in Brunson on Dec. 25, 1928. He was a son of the late George and Carrie Simmons Washington. He was a graduate of the Fairfax Colored High School in Fairfax and a member of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church. Mr. Washington was enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and completed two tours of duty: Korea and Vietnam. He received the following distinguished awards: Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Award of Good Conduct (5), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. A veteran of the Korean War and The Vietnam Conflict, he was an outstanding serviceman who was discharged honorably in 1972 at Rank of Sergeant First Class (Drill Sergeant). He was a charter member of the Brooker T. Barnes Veterans of Foreign War, Post 7607 of Fairfax.
Surviving are: Daughters, Cassandra (Tony) Hallingquest of Fairfax; Sharon Smart of Brunson; one sister, Retha Washington Mays of Fairfax; aunt, Hattie Simmons of New York; brother-in-law, Willie H. (Wilhelmina) Mays of Orangeburg; grandchildren, LaToya (Jerome) Wilkens, Shanad, Ke'la and Khadejia Hallingquest, Shamae and Anthony Smar; great grandchildren, Kweshaun and Tierra Wilkens; nieces, Sadie (James) Rimes of Philadelphia, Pa.; Pamela Smith of Fairfax; great nephews and nieces, Janice (Michael), Brenda, Lilly, Maurice (Debbie), James III, Robin, Tina, Donald, Coretta, Jan, Christopher, Tammy, Brien and Hammie III; devoted friends, Billy Bradley, James Pinckney, John Miley, Sr. and Frank Allen; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Fairfax with burial in the Brunson Cemetery in Brunson.
M. F. Riley Funeral Home of Fairfax was in charge of the arrangements.