Sarah Elizabeth Washington

Sarah Elizabeth Costen Washington was born in the beautiful, New England state of Connecticut, on February 13, 1932 to the union of Myles Henry Richard Costen and Sarah L. (Collins) Costen.

Sarah was affectionately known as Rene’ or Serena. She was the oldest of three girls and her younger sisters were twins, Elnora and Elma.

Sarah, matriculated through elementary and high school attending Oakwood Academy, in Huntsville, Alabama and later graduating from Pine Forge Academy, in Pine Forge, PA.

In her formative years Sarah learned how to play the piano, sew, cook and drive. She was well trained and equipped for the roles she would hold in the future.

Sarah later attended Oakwood College, in Huntsville, Alabama and her first school year there she met a fine young man at the bonfire. The next school year she again met the same young man at a bonfire, who was James Augustus Washington, from Coatesville, PA. There they began a courtship which blossomed.

So on a sultry summer day with, both sets of parents present, and with their blessing, James proposed to Sarah, who was wearing a delicately made pale pink dress. Their commitment to each other was cemented in marriage on January 1, 1956 and lasted 66 years.

God blessed their marriage with three girls Costena Marie, Sarah Elizabeth and Nancy Ann.

Sarah was a shy person by nature and her personality complemented her role as a pastor’s wife. She never spoke ill of people nor gossiped and faithfully supported her husband in ministry by playing the piano and organ, singing solos and even directing choirs. While leading the choir and or playing the organ she would have her three daughters seated on the front row of the church and if they started to misbehave she would give them “The Look” and they would straighten up.

She would look for ways to share the love of Jesus in her own special way and one of her favorite ways of witnessing was to hand out religious literature to persons she would come in contact with as she went about her day.

Sarah worked in many capacities in multiple states, and supported her husband when he was called to be a missionary to Nairobi, Kenya Africa stating from the Bible, "Wherever thou goest I will go and wherever thou lodgest I will lodge." During her missionary term, she had the privilege of traveling the world.

Sarah loved music and many Friday nights, after family worship, were spent, with the family, singing around the piano as she played.

She was a great mother, she was consistent, loving, nurturing, affectionate and patient and as demonstrated by never raising her voice. She was a truly a great teacher and she taught her daughters the love of Jesus. Her favorite memory verse is taken from Hebrews 13:1 which says “Let brotherly love continue.”

Sarah was an optimistic person who kept a positive outlook on life.

Sarah had some wonderful Caregivers who took excellent care of her to mention Kaye, Tokassa, Carol, Shay, Suzanne, Gayle, Devon, Arlene, Katheryn, Denise, Marlena, Julihana, Rose, Stephanie, Michelle and her daughter's and son-in-law. Their kindness and faithful service was greatly appreciated.

She was well loved and will be missed greatly, her kind words, her loving touch and affectionate kiss.

Her family was blessed of God to have had the privilege of having her in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her late husband Dr./Pastor James A. Washington, parents Myles Henry Richard Costen & Sarah L. (Collins) Costen, sister, Elnora L. (Costen) Lea, grandson, Javier Edmundo Velazquez, and brother & sister-in-laws, John Lea, Thomas Washington, Moses Washington, John & Mildred Washington and Frank Davis. She is survived by her sister, Elma Davis, brother in law, Dr. Calvin Washington (Elaine), Ann & Cecilia Washington, daughters, Costena Marie (Washington) Depperschmidt (Bernie), Sarah Elizabeth (Washington) Boger (Anthony), Nancy Ann (Washington) Irby (Carl), and grandsons, James Michael Parks, Trustin Emmanuel Irby, & Gabriel Michael Irby (Ashleigh), and a host of relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Sarah will be held Monday, November 7, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. Followed by a committal service from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324

Hebrews 13:1 (KJV) Let brotherly love continue.

Psalms 24:7-10 (KJV)

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who [is] this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift [them] up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he [is] the King of glory. Selah.

Matthew 6:13 (KJV)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Washington family.