After a long life of service to those she loved dearly, a beautiful soul departed this earth on May 20, 2024. A beautiful baby girl was born on September 26,1936 to Leon Proctor Sr. and Clentora Proctor in Leona, Texas. They named her Leola Proctor. She was their second born of nine children. She was known to many as “Sister Proctor.” She was introduced to Christ at an early age and became a member of Cairo Missionary Baptist Church in Centerville, TX.

She attended Washington- Perkins School in Leona, TX. After she became an adult, she married Marvin Washington, Sr and they made the community of Tanyard their home in Midway, TX. She and Marvin had 7 kids.

Leola was a hard worker all her years. She worked many years in cotton fields, she worked for years at a Mental Institution, and she devoted over 30 plus years working for Madisonville Nursing Home. In Leola’s later years, she resided in Dallas, TX.

She was knowledgeable, humorous, and she was very witty. Leola was also quick with hilarious comebacks during conversation. She was very caring, nurturing, loving, and giving. Just about everywhere she graced her presence, people gravitated towards her, and they all called her Momma or Granny. Leola loved the Lord, and she was a firm believer that there’s only one thing the Lord can’t do, and that is fail you. Her love for God never wavered. By the Grace of God and in Jesus Name was a believer that a way could be made even when it seemed as if there was no way. Leola may not have known how a way would be made but she definitely knew WHO would make a way, and that is the Lord.

Leola leaves to cherish her precious memories, her sons, Marvin Washington Jr (Taysha Spencer), Charlie Washington, Wilford Washington (Nneka); daughters, Mary Phelps (Stanley), and Antesia “Amy” Washington Williams; brother, Earl Proctor (Tonya); and sister, Rhoda Proctor; sister-in-law, Mae Dell Proctor; daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Washington; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, loved ones, and friends.

Leola helped raise so many of her grandchildren, her nephews, and nieces in which is far too many to name each and every one of them. However, a few among the many that clinged to her like a shadow where Rodney Brooks, Christopher Morgan, Vermita Hardeman, Chrisshundralette “Pig” Morgan, Markkia Washington Smith, Samuel Washington, Ashley Washington, Thornton Washington, Demarius Wallace, and Azarias Brown.

She was truly amazing and will forever be cherished by the many lives that Leola has touched. Leola is preceded in death by her parents, Leon Proctor, Sr and Clentora Proctor; her husband, Marvin Washington Sr.; her children, Samuel Washington and Marilyn Washington; her siblings, Leon Proctor, Jr, Carolyn Marshall, Lena Williams, Gladys Ellis, Georgia Brooks, and Shirley Proctor 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

A homegoing service for “Sister” was held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at North Madison Church of Christ.

Pallbearers were Rodney Brooks, Charlie Williams, Dakeldric Washington, Thornton “JJ” Washington, Brian Proctor, Corey Armstead, Laverne Brown, Kerry Armstead.

Honorary Pallbearers were Marvin Washington Jr., Charlie Washington, Wilford Washington , Azarias Brown, Christopher Morgan, Samuel Washington, Demarius Wallace, Lorenzo Williams.

Arrangements were under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.