The Life and Legacy of a Matriach
Ella M. Washington was born July 17, 1943 to Eugene and Maebelle Mack in Pin Point, a rural
community of Savannah, Georgia. Ella attended Chatham County Public Schools. She married Hurley
Tolbert Sr. and gave birth to five children; Hurley Tolbert Jr., Carolyn Jeffery, Diane Campbell, Ella
Harrison (deceased) and Elizabeth Cope (deceased). She also had a daughter she did not give birth to
but loved just as much as her own, Doris Logan.
Ella ‘s greatest joy in life was teaching her grandchildren about the Lord. Her eighteen grandchildren,
who hold her in very high regards are, Hurley Tolbert III (Donyetta), Kevin Tolbert, Kiwanda Tolbert,
Richard Baker, Jr., Victoria Baker, Julia White (deceased), Keidra Chancellor, Dionne Campbell, Janice
Anderson (Maurice), Kimberly Roberson, Harold Roberson Jr., Rufus Olgesby, Mercy Oglesby, Byron
Tolbert, Shameka Tolbert, Donald Cope Jr., Donna Charlton and LaTrisha . She is the great-grandmother
of many.
Ella worked as an X-Ray Technician at Memorial Hospital in the late 1960’s. She then obtained clerical
training at Savannah State College where she worked as an administrative assistant for several years.
When the opportunity presented itself, Ella took a valiant step in the mid 70’s when she was trained
through the Georgia Police Academy to become a Corrections Officer at the Chatham County Jail where
she was a dedicated employee for twelve years. During her years at the Chatham County Jail, Ella was a
member of the American Association of Correctional Officers, trained and certified in the use of firearms
as well as awarded a certificate from the Georgia Crime Information Center in Fingerprint Instructions.
After her stint with the Chatham County Jail Ella received training and was certified in Management
Training which led to her working as a housing manager at Chatham Apartments.
Ella enjoyed cooking and baking for her tribe, but her greatest past-time was fishing. You could find her
on the pier at Lazaretto Creek where she caught whiting, bass, flounder and croaker. She was a pro at
catching, cleaning, and frying up a pan of fish fresh from the creek. Ella would spend hours on the pier in
hopes of getting a bite. The locals knew her well and she was featured in the Island Closeup, a local
paper in Thunderbolt, Georgia.
Ella is also know for her knowledge of the Word of God. She is a graduate of Pentecostal Miracle
Deliverance Center‘s (PMDC) Bible College and also received a certificate of completion from New
Generation Institute of Biblical Studies and Theological Seminary, Inc. As a resident of Williams Court
Apartments, where she also served as the president of the residence’s association, Ella was known for
her knowledge of the Bible and her willingness to share the gospel to the not only the residents, she
shared with the staff, visitors, those she met in the grocery store, gas station, street corner, anyone
living and breathing, she shared the hope that is in knowing Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
A brief Viewing and Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Families First Funeral Care.
Graveside Services will be held following the Visitation at 11:00 AM in Montgomery Baptist Church Cemetery, 9890 Whitefield Avenue, Savannah.
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Antonio & Coretta Williams
May God keep all of in the palm of his hands…Your in our thoughts and prayers.
April Shabazz
My deepest condolences for the Tolbert family. Mrs. Ella Washington was like a mother/grandmother to everyone who had the pleasure to be in her presence. It was truly a blessing to have known her in this life time, when she smiled she could light up the entire room. She will truly be missed.
Sincerely,
Shabazz family
Beverly Clowney
In times like these it’s hard to know what to say just you have sincere condolences and heart felt sympathy my go out to you all in this time of grief
Beverly
Diane Ricardo & Family
My sincere condolences to you doing this hour in your life. May God grant you peace.
Becky Bullock
We will miss you
Becky& clarence
Dacia Duncan
We send our deepest sympathies to your family.
Dennis and Geneva Jackson
I pray ???????? that the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you all. Knowing we will meet her again. ❤️
Mr.&Mrs. Tyrone Houston
With Deepest sympathy Mr.& Mrs
Tyrone Houston Sr.
Charlotte Dupree
Please accept my deepest condolences. You all are in my prayers. Be Encouraged
RIH Ms. Ella
Gretta Natson
Deepest condolences to the family. Praying for you all!!
Dorothy Berksteiner
Dorothy Berksteiner
June 2, 2020
I send my condolences to a family that became a family to me. My hopes and prayers for you is that you will continue to represent the loving nature of Mrs. Ella.
Rochelle Randolph
Ms. Ella was a beautiful souls. I always loved when she baked cakes for me. May yku rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the famimy❤❤
Tonya
My condolence . I’m go miss her she always gives advices and was a loving funny person.
Rev. Lamar A Johnson
You all have my deepest condolences.
I have gotten to know Ms.Washington for only a short two years, but I admit it was the best two years I have had.
Mrs.Washington always kept me on my toes and made sure I crossed my T’s and dotted my I’s.
She was a person who gave me motivation on a daily basis, even when I didn’t want to hear it.
( lol) at times when I was not altogether, she was always there to say ” okay now, Johnson doesn’t make me whoop your butt” I never took her for granted because I always thought she would.
To have Ms.Washington in my life for those two years was a beautiful experience that I will never forget. She has made a strong positive impact in my life, with her words of wisdom, encouragement, stern belief in the word of God, and just an all together loving and caring person.
She will be missed but absolutely never forgotten.
Actually; to me I think of it as
” She is not dead, she is just away”
Dorothy Jean Whitaker
Will miss my friend. She’s the first one I met when I moved in William’s Court and found out she knew my family. Sleep well my friend, perhaps we’ll meet again
Dorothy
Lillian S.Sams
Ella Washington, You Were A Hard Working,Beautiful Lady.May You Rest In Peace.
Jeannie knight
Ms Ella Washington to the family sorry for your loss you all are in my prayers she will be miss
Judith David
What a full life Miss Ella Lived. She shared all that she knew and now it’s time for this beautiful soul to rest. Rest in peace Miss Ella.
Christine Stallwood
Hurley, My sincerest condolences to your family on the transitioning of your Mother. May God continue to bless and comfort you on today and all of the days to come. We are praying for you.
Henry Robinson
Ms.Washington was like another Mother Grandmother to me always had some encouraging advice to keep you in a straight path of life, I,m going to miss that warm smile that can brighten any bad day by May have. Safe journey home my friend until we meet.