"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."          - Matthew 5:3-5

Elease Savage Washington, daughter of the late Herbert N. and Annie Rollerson Savage, was born on June 17, 1927, in Bonneau, South Carolina. She entered into eternal rest on Sunday morning, November 20, 2016, at her residence after a long illness.

Elease, affectionately known as "Sister" to family and friends, was the oldest of nine siblings. Five preceded her in death: Robert, Maydie, Freddie, Annie Mae and Henry Dean.

She received her education in the public schools of Berkeley County.

Elease made the most important decision of her life, at an early age, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She became a member of St. Peters African Methodist Episcopal Church. Some years later after marriage, she joined Mt. Carmel AME Church, Santee Circle where she attended for several years.

Elease decided she would return to her home church. There she served faithfully in the following capacities until her health failed: Trustee Board, Stewardess Board and Treasurer of the Building Fund Committee.

Elease had a tremendous calling on her life as a caregiver. She gladly accepted this calling with the passion of a truly God called servant.

She started at an early age by helping her widowed mother raise her eight siblings when she would go to work to provide for her family. She took care of her mother-in-law for a number of years until her death. She also took care of her paraplegic son for nineteen years after a car accident that left him paralyzed. She was the epitome of love as she tirelessly and patiently cared for him until his death.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late David Washington on December 26, 1948. Their union was blessed with three children, one son, Samuel, preceded her in death.

Elease leaves to cherish fond memories: one daughter,  Delores (Rev. James) Frost of Bonneau, SC; one son, David (Melonese) Washington, Jr. of Bonneau, SC; nine grandchildren: Terrance (Janeen) Frost, Deborah (Rev. John) Taylor, David (Thomasena) Washington III, Eric (Chavell) Frost, Rev. Albert (Tonya) Frost, Keith (Allison) Washington, Damon Frost (Wendy), Steven (Sherry) Washington and Angelic (Eddie) Marshall; one sister, Dorothy Winns of Bonneau, SC; two brothers, Herbert Lee Savage and Johnny Savage both of Bonneau, SC; one sister-in-law, Estelle Glover of Charleston, SC; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.