Minnie Washington

Obituary Minnie Lee Washington, 85, of Kansas City, Missouri. was born November 21, 1934 in Lorman, Mississippi to Jessie and Sarah King. Minnie’s work ethic began at an early age of 5 when she picked cotton in Mississippi and Arkansas cotton fields along with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her baby sister, after their mother passed. The family moved to Pine Bluff, Ark. when she was 12 years old. Minnie received her formal education in the Lorman, Mississippi. and Pine Bluff, Arkansas Public Schools. Minnie met and married Willie Washington. To this union eight children were born. The family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. in 1954. At the age of 14, Minnie was baptized at Church of Christ, Pine Bluff, Ark. In 1981, she placed her membership at Swope Parkway Church of Christ Kansas City, Missouri and lastly, in 1994 she placed her membership at 39th St Church of Christ, Independence Missouri where she remained a faithful until her passing. Whether at work or traveling, she enjoyed sharing bible tracts with whomever crossed her path . She was always willing to teach the Gospel of Christ to her children, grandchildren and friends, inviting them to her home for bible study. She was a true servant and enjoyed serving for the Gospel of Christ. She was always available to cook for church lectureships and other church events. In 1955 at the age of 21, she began her first job at Waid’s Restaurant. She started out as a dishwasher, then promoted to line cook, and finally pastry chef. During her employment at Waid’s, she was selected employee of the year twice. She was employed at Waid’s Restaurant for 29 years before leaving in 1984. While working at Waid’s she also started working part-time at Denny’s Restaurant as a server in 1978. She was recognized as Employee of the Month at Denney’s for six months straight. Minnie was great at money management. She would save her daily server tips till the end of the week to make a full paycheck. She would often advise the younger servers to do the same. Her co-workers and customers at Denny’s loved Ms. Minnie (as they affectionately called her. One time an entire family gifted her an all-expense paid cruise with them, including $500 in spending money…a true testament of how much the customers loved her! After 36 years of dedicated service, she retired from Denny’s in November 2014 at the age of 80. Ms. Minnie’s loyalty to both restaurants totaled 59 years. Minnie’s passion was cooking & baking, and she was truly fabulous at both! Her first attempt at baking a cake at age 5, resulted in a spanking. She enjoyed selling her baked goods. Her specialty was sweet potato pies. She once baked 50 pies on a Saturday and sold every one of them. Her lifelong friend Adele Wilson often told her, “Minnie you’re the only person I know that can take a store brought box of cake mix and make them taste homemade”. Betty Crocker had nothing on her baking skills. Everyone loved her baked goods and would often request a sweet potato pie, pound cake or other flavored cakes. In the 70’s, she participated in a King/Queen contest fundraiser. She baked and sold over $1,000 worth of cakes, pies, tea cakes and other baked goods and she was of course was crowned Queen! Minnie was a collector. She took pride in her collection of Kansas City Royals and Chief’s team memorabilia. She had the pleasure of meeting many of the KC Royals and Chief’s players. She obtained their autographs, as an employee at Denny’s and working at the Royals and Chiefs stadiums. She collected newspaper articles of importance. Amongst the articles, was an article from the Kansas City Star, dated December 16, 1970 of her daughter Maria being transported from the old Children Mercy Hospital to the new Children Mercy Hospital located on Gillham Road (Hospital Hill). She collected Michael Jackson, President Barack Obama, Prince Harry and Princess Megan, Barbie dolls. She also collected Court Jester dolls, Betty Boop dolls, beanie babies, two-dollar bills, various coins, baseball cards, and other memorabilia that she loved, cherished and valued. Her family was very important to her. With the Lord’s help, she made many sacrifices, working two or three jobs to provide food, shelter, clothing and oftentimes going without herself to provide for children whom she dearly loved. Minnie was a wise, humble, gentle, sweet and a kind soul with a childlike spirit. She was a selfless giver, giving generously of her time and financial means without any second thoughts. She always thought about how she could help others and she was always concerned for the wellbeing of her family. She was a true servant putting others before herself, never self-serving or looking for anything in return. Her father Jessie King, mother Sarah King, brothers Charles Sanders, Willie Sanders, Percy Sanders, sisters Margaret Sanders, Annie Sanders, Beatrice Dorsey, daughter Maria Washington and son Eddie Joe Washington preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memories, sisters Bessie Girley, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Louise Harris, Natchez, Mississippi, sons Major Washington, Kansas City, Missouri., Otis Washington (Nekia), Kansas City, Kansas, Mario Washington (Gladys), Leavenworth, Kansas., daughters Delores Fortune, Phoebe Fortune and Shirley Jones, Kansas City, Missouri., 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, longtime friend Adele Wilson, Sister in Christ Lois McNealy and the 39th Street Church of Christ congregation. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 15th at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Visitation 12:30 P.M. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn & Gardens Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Minnie Washington, please visit our floral store. Read More

Minnie Washington

July 31, 2020