Mrs. Ethel Mae Blakey Washington, age 88, of 700 Church Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, passed peacefully in her home on Friday, June 26, 2015, surrounded by her daughters.

She was born October 14, 1926 in Clifton Forge to the late Riley and Virgie Shelton Blakey.

Mrs. Washington was a graduate of Jefferson High School and attended college in West Virginia for a brief period.

Mrs. Washington was employed at Emmett Memorial Hospital and Alleghany Regional Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant until her retirement.

Her religious involvement began at an early age. She became a member of Main Street Baptist Church and was a faithful member there until her illness.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking and any activity that included family, but it seems that she also impacted many lives outside her family.

Mrs. Washington is survived by five daughters, LaVerne Taylor and husband, Herman of Richmond, Deborah Gomes of Bethesda, MD, Twyla Bolden and husband, James of Clifton Forge, Towana Washington of Roanoke, and Kendra Rock and husband, Donald of Richmond; nine grandchildren, Shawn, Shay, Shrell, Brian, Bradford, Shara, La Donna, Kellye and Maurice, fourteen great grandchildren; and her beloved companion, Pepper.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell E. Washington in 2004; a brother, Oscar Blakey; and a nephew, Oscar Blakey, Jr.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Main Street Baptist Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Preston Tyler officiating. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Red Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge. There will be no wake. However, visitors are welcome at the home, 700 Church Street, Clifton Forge.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is in charge of arrangements.