On August 18, God opened his arms and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hoyles Washington got her wings when He welcomed her to her new home. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hoyles grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina; the only daughter of Theodore and Beatrice Hoyles. In her youth, Elizabeth was the community socialite; she held gatherings for all her friends at her high school. Elizabeth then attended Livingstone College and graduated with a double major in mathematics and science. While attending Livingstone College, she pledged her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Elizabeth was a lifelong supporter of her sorority and supported student scholarships at her alma mater. Her love for her Sorority carried over to her graduate chapter where she was a Charter Member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter, in Farmville, VA; becoming the first and only Golden soror (50 years) in the Chapter. Upon graduating Livingstone, Elizabeth was recruited to teach in Buckingham County, beginning her teaching career at Buckingham County Training School. Buckingham County Training School was one of the historic schools established by Julius Rosenwald, the president of Sears, and Booker T. Washington to educate black children across the South before desegregation. Elizabeth was part of a historically significant initiative to advance black education as a teacher to students across all grade levels. In her time at Buckingham County Training School, she mentored students, giving them the support and education they needed to grow into adults, while also bringing sports like tennis to students. She brought women’s basketball to her school, back when formal sports for women weren’t established in the school system. Buckingham is where she met her late husband, Mr. Thomas Washington. They were married August 21, and were together in a loving marriage for 20 years before his untimely passing. They had three daughters. Mrs. Washington was an educator in Buckingham County for at least 50 years. She started her career at Buckingham County Training School, followed by S.J. Ellis Elementary School, then Buckingham County Junior High School and finally worked with the TDOT adult education program. Through her time teaching, Elizabeth mentored and taught students, believing in their ability to grow and learn as students and adults.

Mrs. Washington was a devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. She was also active in many other organizations, such as the NAACP, Club 25, the Le Cercie de Paires Sociale club, the Democratic Party, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and she was even was a den mother to the cub scouts in her early career. These are only a few of her passions. Mrs. Washington was an active community member in Buckingham County her entire life. She volunteered to support and feed families, was active in town council endeavors, helped people register to vote, and was part of community outreach and support. After retiring, she participated in a travel group with Southside Community College wheres he traveled with her family. She traveled around the world, visiting China, India, Austria, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Peru, the Caribbean, Monaco and more. Mrs. Washington’s legacy of love and care for her community and her family will be deeply missed. She leaves behind three daughters: Antoinette Washington Lee (Stanley Lee, d.2019), Ca Thoma Washington Turner (Joseph Turner, d.2019), and Bonita Washington Pryer (Morechell Pryer). She also leaves behind her five grandchildren: Emmanuel Turner, Ca Thoma Turner, Alexa Pryer, Elissa Pryer and Jaylynn Turner; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Williams, Ophelia Washington, and Eva Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.