Arleaner Washington, an African American woman from Biloxi, Mississippi, has turned 100. She was born on February 6, 1924, and Gulfport Councilwoman Ella Holmes-Hines and Mayor Billy Hewes issued a heartfelt proclamation to commemorate this major milestone.
Originally from Gulfport, Washington, she lived the majority of her life there before moving to Biloxi’s Brookdale Senior Living Home. She was formerly married to George Washington Jr. and is now a widow, the lone surviving member of sixteen siblings.
Washington had a large family, including six children, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Dinah McCann, warmly remembered her mother’s tenderness.
“Mother was always a lovely and generous person, which always amazed me. McCann told WLBT that no matter who it was, she was always there for them. “The other part is not only just giving but loving people regardless of who they were or what they did, she’s always there to forgive.”
Her grandson, Marvin Simon, remarked on the wisdom given down by his grandma. He explained, “My grandmother taught me to always be honest. She was extremely strong in the religion, so she stated, “If anything goes wrong, just be honest and tell the truth, and you’ll face the consequences later.”
Washington’s love and giving extended beyond her family, as she donated her time to the Good Deed Community Club, the Family Pittman Choir, and Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Gulfport had already designated a lifetime “Arleaner Washington Day” in honor of this extraordinary woman’s civil and community services.
Even though dementia is a problem, Washington’s family wants her to realize the profound impact she has had on their lives, which they will never forget.
“I still want her to remember her family because we’re never ever going to forget her; she’s family, she’s mother,” she says. “She is loved by her nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, neighbors, and church members. My pastors all adored her, and they came out to be with her because of that love.