Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was born on April 28, 1970 in Stockton, CA to Deacon Henry Lee Washington Sr. and Shirley Ann (Appling) Washington. He was their only son and the baby brother to two doting sisters. He grew up in a Christian home accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and was baptized at God’s Throne Missionary Baptist Church by Zacchaeus Dunham Sr. Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was a lifetime Stocktonian. He graduated from Edison High School in 1988 and then joined the U.S. Navy. After completing his service with the U.S. Navy, he enrolled at San Joaquin Delta Community College. A short while later he met and married the love of his life Rebecca D. Rose on October 12, 1991 in Stockton, CA. From this marriage there are three children: Nicolette Sharmaine Washington, Henry Lee Washington III, and Henrihana Rebecca Washington. He and his wife Rebecca also raised Rebecca’s youngest sister Natalie Gaines-Guyton whom they informally adopted as their daughter. Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was employed by Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) for over 23 years and was a conductor who enjoyed every aspect of his profession.
Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was a loving husband and father who had no limit to the wisdom he afforded his family and friends. He was ordained as a deacon in 2019 at Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church where he continued his Christian journey until the Lord called him home. Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was known for his spiritual guidance. He had the gift to evangelize and lead people to Christ. He was a staunch advocate for Christ. He was also a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan despite growing up in a home filled with Forty-Niner fans. Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. had a great sense of humor. He joked with his family and friends, made us laugh, and lifted our spirits even in his final days of life.
He leaves to cherish his memory his parents Deacon Henry and Shirley Washington; his devoted wife Rebecca D. Washington; his children: Nicolette, Henry III, and Henrihana Washington, and Natalie Gaines-Guyton (Kenny); two sisters: Sharmaine D. Barnes (Fred), Debra L. Russell (Steven Sr.); five uncles: Curnlee Howell (Judy), Condia L. Washington (Vicky), Walter Howell (Sandra), Andrew Howell Jr., and Thomas Appling Jr.; five aunts: Georgia Smith, Renee Appling (Windle), Bobby Jackson, Etta Antwine (Mike), Brandy Appling; as well as a host of other uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, co-workers, and friends too numerous to name.
Deacon Henry Lee Washington Jr. was preceded in death by his great-grandmother Garland Barber; his grandmother Ada B. Howell; grandfathers’ Jeffrey Washington and Thomas Appling Sr.; and cousin Tamika “Joy” Ellington.
