Herbert "Big Herb" Arean Washington

Deacon Herbert Arean Washington was born December 19, 1954 in Clayton, Louisiana to Pearline Washington and Louis Bowman, Jr. He was reared by Elvin “Nip” Washington, Sr.

Herbert graduated from Ferriday High School. He worked as a security guard at Angola State Penitentiary, a valet parker at New Orleans International Airport, a truck driver for the City of Monroe, and a bingo caller.

Herbert was a member of Greater Free Gift Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Rodney McFarland, I, where he served as a deacon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pearline Washington, Louis Bowman, Jr., and Elvin “Nip” Washington, Sr.; sisters, Doris Lewis and Jennifer Meredith; brothers, Session Bosley and Elvin Washington, Jr.

His life will be cherished forever by his wife, Karen Finley Washington; five children, Herbert Sumler, Delores Washington, Syed Washington, Evelyn Washington, and Jeanette Washington of Monroe, Louisiana; six step-children, Toriano Kyles of Waterford, Michigan; Trinity Kyles Hill, Tevoris Simmons, Shayla Turpin, and Jontae Turpin, all of Monroe, Louisiana, and Mori Turpin of Arlington, Texas; ten sisters, Deloris Smith Tobias of New Orleans, Louisiana; Perline (Bobbie) Foley of Kenner, Louisiana; Geraldine James of Natchez, Mississippi; Ida (Sam) Hampton, Shirley Sanders-Coleman, Sharon Bowman, Rose (Bobby) Taylor, Sharika (Sugar) Watson, Sandra (Albert) Conley, and Carolyn (Dave) Spurs, all of Ferriday, Louisiana; six brothers, Robert Washington and Kenneth (Marilyn) Washington of Kenner, Louisiana; Louis Bowman, III, Tyrone Bowman, and Robert (Deidre) Bowman, all of Ferriday, Louisiana; and Laron (Ashley) Bowman of Lake Charles, Louisiana; twenty-two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a life-long friend, George Long, Sr.; one aunt, Clara Carter of New Orleans, Louisiana; three sisters-in-law, Linda Anderson of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Sharon (Michael) Cowart of Monroe, Louisiana; and Lois Turpin of Tallulah, Louisiana; two brothers-in-law, Melvin Turpin of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Larry (Frankie) Turpin of Arlington, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and the Greater Free Gift Church Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Herbert "Big Herb" Arean Washington, please visit our floral store.