Emma Washington was born June 27, 1952, to the late Ruby O. Nugent and Jim Allen.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she sang her first solo at the age of four.

She was one of the lead singers in the youth choir. Emma was also the youngest member of the Holy Travelers of Madisonville.

Emma attended and graduated from Marion Anderson Independent School District. After graduating, she moved to Dallas, Texas where she attended Dallas Cosmetology Beauty School. She later became supervisor over many beauty salons in the Dallas area. Then, she changed her career and went to work for Wal-Mart in Huntsville, Texas as a Singing Door Greeter. She also worked as a home health provider for the elderly, where she loved and cared for each one like her own family member.

Later, she worked at JC Penny Warehouse where she retired after ten years of service.

Emma met and married the love of her life, Columbus Washington, Jr., and to this union, they were blessed with seven children. Emma was a God-Fearing, Churchgoing, Spiritual Lead Singer. She was also a praying woman of God. She could easily usher the spirit into any service with her God-given talent. She sang every song with the spirit of God and from her heart, from the National Anthem to Happy Birthday Songs, to the Songs of Zion.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; husband, Columbus Washington, Jr.; two children, Keith and Kesha Washington; one daughter-in-law, Rose Washington; two nieces, Jacqueline Dickey and Felicia Dickey; nine brothers and brothers- in-law, Robert Allen, JC Allen, Jack Allen, Tom Allen, Otha Lee McCoy, Elbert Jordan, Rayvon Storker, Elenor Reed, II, and Edward Washington and three sisters, Annie M. Meeks, Mary Florence McCoy and Mary Lee Davis.

Emma leaves to cherish her sweet memory four sons, Zock Allen of Conroe, Texas, Edmond (Curea) Washington, Eric (Tomika) Washington and Columbus Washington, III, all of Dallas, Texas; one daughter, Erica (Dennis) West of Centerville, Texas; two sisters, Hattie Glaze of Madisonville, Texas and Maxine Nugent of Conroe, Texas; four sisters-in-law, Lenora Jordan and Louann Storker of Dallas, Texas, Shirley (Wayne) Wynn of Desoto, Texas, and Patricia Washington of Dallas, Texas; twenty- three grandchildren, Jackie Johnson, Zackery (Jada) Allen, Zavian Allen, Tristyn Allen, Zamar Allen, Marquisha Washington, Jacobi Edwards, Josh Edwards, Shelby Washington, Eric Washington, II, Queen Washington, Mercedes Heyward, El-jiva Carter, Keyoa Carter, Christopher Washington, Shakila Williams, Brittany West, Shania West, Alicia West, Jasmine (Albert) Caston, and Cadance West; seven great-grandchildren, Serenity Washington, Nazir Allen, Rylie Washington, A'Naeya Taylor, Levion Gamble, Taliyah Washington, and Caden Washington; godson, Timothy O'Bryant; special nieces, Monica McCoy, Renea Davis, Sydney Nugent, Miracle McGienty; special friends, Joyce and Steve Green, Biva Byrd, Michelle Scott, Verdean Williford Neal, Brenda Nellums, Christal Turner, Faye Merchant and Narvis Lewis; and a great host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A homegoing service for Emma was held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Lakeview Missionary Baptist Church, Madisonville, Texas. She was laid to rest in West End Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers were Cornelius Dickey, Sam Simpson, Tyrone Brown, Brandon Madison, Jerome Dickey, Javarious Taylor, Robert Sanchez.

Honorary Pallbearers were Zackery Allen, Anthony Davis, Zavian Allen, Kenneth Wynn, Jr., Zamar Allen, Chris Young, Eric Washington, II, Chris Whaley, James Dickey, Zo Whaley.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.