Mrs. Washington was born January 24, 1920 in Cordele, Georgia to the late John and Dolly Hamilton. She attended school in Cordele, Georgia and later moved to Tampa, Florida where she met and married, Johnnie Washington. Bessie was a devoted mother of two children, Doris W. Bryant and the late John Lee Washington. She worked for Tampa Canning Plant, Tampa Linen Laundry, a caregiver and was also a Cosmetologist for a number of years until retirement. She also did domestic work. Mrs. Washington attended Mt. Pleasant AME Church and later moved to First Baptist Church of College Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie, son John Lee and son-in-law, Hayward Bryant, Sr. She leaves to mourn her passing a devoted and loving daughter, Doris W. Bryant; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Washington; grandchildren, Hayward Bryant, Jr. and wife, Deborah, Jerome Washington, Kenneth Bryant and wife, Jennifer, and Tanya Washington; great grandchildren, Sidney, Sheila, Danielle, Kenneth, II, Marcasha, Cory and Noah; great great grandchildren, Lance, Lila and Sidney, Jr.; 10 nieces and 1 nephew; a host cousins, and other relatives and many friends.