Washington Elbert, Jr.'s Obituary
Washington Elbert, Jr., 75, of Columbia, formerly of Boonville, passed into eternity on Monday May 27, 2013 at his home. Funeral services will be held Monday June 3, 2013 at 11 am at St. Paul AME Church in Columbia. Visitation will be from 10-11 am at the church.
Washington A. Elbert Jr. (Warsh), 75, of Columbia departed this life on May 27, 2013. Son of Washington A. Elbert Sr. and Eola (Coleman) Elbert. He was born in Boonville, MO on May 12, 1938.
He attended Sumner School. Warsh, as we all know him started his life at an early age working in the hay fields and shoveling coal with his father in Boonville and surrounding areas. He worked at Kemper Military School, “One of their finest waiters”, he would say! In 1950 he worked at Stephens College in the fashion department, and from 1959-1964 he drove trash trucks for the City of Columbia. He relocated to Chicago from 1965-1969 where he also worked for the city. In 1970 he returned to Columbia where he took a job at the University of Columbia Kappa Alpha Theta Delta sorority house. Washington retired from G.T.E after twenty years of service and from Columbia Public Schools after six years of service. His lifetime jobs were dedicated to the former Mayor, Mr. Darwin and Axie Hindman, also Dr. Carol and Black Danuser for some fifty plus years. Finally, Hy-Vee food chains and numerous odd jobs.
Warsh was a very friendly and outgoing person. He rarely met a stranger, his motto was “there’s no harm in being friendly and bringing a little joy to people.” His hobbies were keeping his vehicles spotless, cooking, singing, music of all sorts, plants and flowers, shooting pool, rabbit hunting, and sporting all of the men’s latest fashion. He was united in marriage to Isabella in 1993. He was a very loving husband and good father. He will be greatly missed, however never forgotten.
Warsh loved the Lord; he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was an active member of St. Paul AME; he served on the Senior Usher Board, President of the Men’s Usher Board, sang with the Men’s Choir and also Mass Choir.
He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, his father and mother, four sisters, and one brother.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Isabella Elbert of the home, sisters Arlene (Adolphus) Alexander of Dallas, TX, Georgia Mae Chester and Nettie White of Boonville, and Margaret Brown of Richmond, VA; brothers Walter (Jo) Overton of Kansas City, MO, and Tomme (Sue) Elbert of Chicago, IL. He also leaves children Susan (Drexel) Stith of Florissant, MO, Kelvin Elbert of Columbia, Tamme (Damon) Smith of Toledo, OH, and Tracey (Richard) Albert-Allison of Prattsburg NY. His stepchildren Dennis J. VanEtten of Columbia, Rodney Burgess of Morristown, NJ, John E. McKinnon of Virginia, Lance McKinnon of Marysville, PA, Debra Williams, and Larry Darnell Tapp of Columbia. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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