Irene Washington-Yates

Deaconess Irene Washington Yates of Stevensburg, Virginia peacefully departed this life on December 16, 2021, at Culpeper Health Care Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on February 18, 1939, to the late Alfred Lewis and Lucy Ann Banks.

She is preceded in death by the above-mentioned parents; her stepfather, George Loxie Banks; husband, Deacon Sherman Yates; son, Tommy Washington; father of her children, John Washington; siblings: Cleo Newman, Elizabeth Moore, James Newman, Landonia Banks, Mattie Wanzer, Mildred Washington, Alfred Lewis, Jr., Michael Lewis, Glenn Lewis, Tina Bell, Carolyn Bryant, and Beatrice Johnson.

Deaconess Yates enjoyed crocheting, crafting, and making  floral arrangements. Back in the day, if you did not have one of her crocheted toilet paper holders or dolls in your house, then you probably were not invited to a cookout, either! She loved to dance and have a good time with family and friends.

She was a faithful servant attending and serving as Deaconess at St. Stevens Baptist Church until her health failed. She served in the following ministries: Missionary, Senior Choir, Church Treasury, Hospitality, and Women’s Ministry. She was always willing to serve wherever there was a need.

If the bible verse “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” was personified, you would see a picture of Deaconess Yates (Irene). This was evident from her infectious laugh and her jubilant praise and worship. She enjoyed playing the tambourine and signing her favorite song, “Jesus is on the Main Line”. This song became her war cry to new and old Christians. It was not just how she sung the song, but there was something different about the praise. You could tell that she was not singing about what she had heard, instead she was singing about what she knew in her heart to be true.

She is survived by three daughters: Verna Washington of Millville, NJ, Sherri Baine (Corwyn) of Glendale, MD, and Debra Washington of Culpeper, VA; ten grandchildren: Jasper (Amy), Latanya (Daniella), Tamasha, Tyrese, Bonique, Darrell (Arniese), Shardae, Tommy, and Corwyn; twelve great grandchildren: Janice, Darius, Terrell, DJ, Chase, Tyesha, Kensley, Adasha, Tyheim, Andra, Tyanna, and Breanna; six great-great grandchildren: Isaiah, Makaile, Solei, Kayden, Kehiani, and Lylah; six siblings: Shirley Holmes of Downing Town, PA, Lucy Ann Platt of Capital Heights, MD, Eleanor Bushrod of Dale City, VA, George Banks,  Helen Clanagan (Festus), and Deloris Hackley, all of Culpeper, VA. Plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and one special niece, Natasha Banks.

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