Wilma Washington

Wilma Davis Washington, 80, of Ochlocknee, GA, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Born in rural Thomas County, GA, on November 23, 1945, she was the daughter of Christine Red and George William Davis. She attended schools in Boston, GA, Orlando, FL, and Montgomery, AL, in her youth. She graduated from Thomasville High School in 1964.

Wilma was a hardworking person throughout her life. In her early years, she worked at the Holiday Inn on U.S. 19, at Kentucky Fried Chicken, and harvested crops, among other jobs, to help support her family. She was a teenager when her father died, and she helped to raise her younger siblings, the youngest just ten years old at the time.

After her high school graduation, Wilma attended Southern Business University in Atlanta. She worked for 34 years at the Thomas County Health Department, first as a typist and then as Accounting Clerk, where she enjoyed serving others. She was commissioned as the Local Registrar for Thomas County by the Georgia Department of Public Health in 1969. In this role, she was the custodian of all vital records in Thomas County, including birth and death certificates. The birth certificates of thousands of Thomas Countians bear her signature. She represented the Thomas County Health Department in regular presentations to the County Commission and at meetings throughout the state. She also clerked vaccination clinics, sometimes holding children to comfort them during their shots. As Registrar, Wilma was well respected for her work ethic and attention to detail.

Wilma and George Riley Washington were married at Dawson Street Methodist Church on May 18, 1968, following his return from service in the U.S. Navy. They were happily married for 57 years.

Wilma loved to cook and bake for anyone and any occasion. Whether it was fried chicken tenders or a birthday pound cake, anyone who visited her kitchen was in for a treat. George and Wilma grew a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in their yard, which they shared with many friends and neighbors. She was a dog lover and was inseparable from her dachshunds. She loved to sew and gave away countless creations that she had made.

First as "Aunt Wilma," and then as "Grandma," Wilma was an exceptional example of a loving southern grandmother. She always offered an open door, a memorable day trip, or a peaceful rocking chair. Along with George, she was there for youth sports, church productions, school presentations, and every life moment along the way. To her grandchildren, she was the best neighbor anyone could ever ask for.

For many years, Wilma enjoyed traveling with her husband as he participated in runs and bicycle rides throughout the state. Wilma drove the "SAG wagon" for the group, following the riders to their next stop, and was a cherished presence at each ride. Wilma also enjoyed traveling to visit her sisters and participating in group tours in her retirement. Following her retirement, Wilma remained committed to public service, volunteering as a poll worker for more than twenty years. She was a longtime member of Dawson Street Methodist Church and the Peacemakers Sunday School Class. She enjoyed volunteering at the Rocking Horse Clothes Closet, in the Thomas County School System, and at the Lawson Neel MedBank. Wilma enjoyed meeting monthly with fellow Health Department retirees whom she considered her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents; three sisters, Martha Ann Fuller, Mamie Caroline Davis, and Georgia Heald; one brother, George Theron Davis; and her in-laws, Earl and Bessie Washington. She is survived by her two sisters, Ruth Twine (Ray) and Deloris Vick (Jerry); a daughter, Virginia "Jeanie" Sons (John); and a son, Michael Washington. She was blessed with two grandchildren, Madison Paige Washington and Carson Davis Washington, and served with honor as fill-in grandmother to Louis Carter and Sam Carter. Other local survivors include nieces Christa Heald Carter (Jim) and Pat Fuller Atkinson (Chris); a nephew, John T. Davis; and many other nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville on Friday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at Allen & Allen Funeral Home on Thursday, January 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Wilma requested that donations be made to Dawson Street Methodist Church.