Mrs. Spencer Antonia ("Toni") Washington

Evans of BSpencer A. “Toni” Curley-Washington resident of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on October 26, 2011 in Canton, GA at age 85 after a long illness. She was born February 19, 1926 in Helena, AR. Her parents were Agostino Onorato and Spencer E. Curley. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Andrew Morris Sr. and Jerome Curley; sister Mary Deal; son Jerome Jackson and daughter-in-law Sylvia Jackson. She received her education at Eliza Miller High School and later Kalamazoo Valley Community College. After finishing high school she went to Memphis, TN and worked at Universal Life Insurance Co. Spencer married the late Frank A. Jackson, Sr. in Memphis had two sons, moved to Chicago, IL and then to Battle Creek, MI where she worked at the Veterans Administration and Community Hospital. She married Earl Rowell and had one son. She married the late Earl Wooten had one daughter and moved to Kalamazoo, MI., where she worked at Gibson Guitar until her retirement. She later married Arthur Washington who became the love of her life who remains her husband after 4 decades. She was a devout Christian and was baptized at Centennial Missionary Baptist Church of the National Historic Trust in Helena, AR but later affiliated with Allen Chapel AME Church in Kalamazoo where she was a devoted member and Deaconess. She crocheted beautiful wraps and enjoyed watching baseball particularly her favorite teams, the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. She would often comment about her time living in Chicago, IL where she regularly attended Comiskey Park on ladies day to watch baseball. Attending those games in Chicago started her love for baseball, which lasted until her death. She was a very devoted mother and grandmother who attend all her children’s activities until she was no longer able because of her illness. Spencer is survived by her husband, Arthur Washington, Three sons: Frank A. Jackson, Jr. of Portage, MI; Kenneth Rowell and Steven Washington of Kalamazoo, MI. Three daughters: Nancy (Steven) Gillenwater and of Canton, GA; Tiffany (Herbert) Jackson of Kalamazoo, MI; Marjory (David) Patrick of South Africa. Two Brothers: Albert (Connie) Curley I of Junction City, KS; August Onorato Curley, I of Fayetteville, GA; Sister-in-Law Mattie Ernestine Curley of Atlanta, GA; Sister Priscilla (Theodore) Evans of Surprise, AZ; and Sister-in-Laws, Lavern Morris of Flint, MI and Audrey Nabors Jackson of Baton Rouge, LA. In addition, her grandchildren Brittany, Meaghan and Stephanie Gillenwater; Brandi Washington, Lauren and Mackenzie Lacey; Jasmine (Steven) Henry and great grandsons Antonio and Andreas Fields. Eight nephews and their families, Albert Curley II, Jr. of Bowie, MD; August Curley, II of Sarasota, FL; Theodore Evans II, Bryan Kelly Evans of Peoria, AZ, and Roderick Evans of Battle Creek, MI; Zephron Curley, of Las Vegas, NV; Andrew Morris of Richmond, CA; Darris Deal Jr. of Augusta, MI. Nine nieces and their families, Karen R. Curley-Tisdale of Wilmington, CA; Anitra Curley-Wilson of Baton Rouge, LA; Cheryll Etuk Curley-Avon of Baton Rouge, LA; Marsha Curley-Harris of Shaker Heights, OH; Carolyn Shumpert of Fairfield, CA; Barbara Wright of Flint, MI; Ollie Jean Morris of Flint, MI; Mary Morris of Marietta, GA; Janita Deal of Battle Creek, MI. In addition, her two extended families; Prince, Deborah, Collette and Mark Gatling; Stanley, Linda, Byron and Leslie Hall.

Mrs. Spencer Antonia ("Toni") Washington

February 19, 1926 - October 26, 2011