Herman S Washington

Affectionately nicknamed “Peanut” during childhood, Herman was born May 19, 1936, in Daphne, Alabama, to Willie Mae (Padgett) and UZ Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Mae Harris, UZ Washington, Doug Jones, and Napoleon Harris; sister, Ruthie M. Young; daughter-in law, Leatha F. Washington; and a grandson, Josef L. Jenkins.

After graduation from the Baldwin County Training School, Herman worked at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, and on the Jenkins Family Farm in Daphne, Alabama, prior to leaving for study at Tuskegee Institute. He earned BS and MS Degrees from Tuskegee Institute in Agribusiness and Education. While there, he was in Army ROTC, worked with the campus newspaper, and was a member of the men’s track team. He was initiated into the Beta Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity, Inc. in March of 1961.

Herman’s long career as an educator began at Roulac High School in Chipley, Florida. After moving to Clanton, he taught at the Chilton County Training School and Maplesville High School. Following his desire to enhance his teaching and leadership opportunities, Herman left Maplesville to complete additional graduate studies at Auburn University, and worked as a vocational education administrator for the Brevard County school system in Florida. Herman later returned to Maplesville High School, where he taught agriscience for thirty-four years. One of his favorite assignments during his teaching tenure was serving as the advisor for the school’s Future Farmers of America (now FFA) chapter. He retired from formal work as an educator while he served as the Vocational Education Supervisor in the Chilton County school system.

Passionate about the interests of those who work in public education, Herman was a member of the Alabama Education Association. He was a former president for the local education association, and remained a member of the retired education association.

He contributed to the development of his community as a charter member of the Civitan Club, the first Black president of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, boy scout leader, master gardener, and volunteer tennis coach at Chilton County High School. As a member of the United States Tennis Association’s Minority Participation Committee (now Multicultural Participation Committee) for more than twenty years, he worked to increase opportunities for free or low cost tennis and education programming. He was a long time certified tennis teaching professional, who continued to give private lessons until 2022.

Having established membership at the Union Missionary Baptist Church during the 1960s, Herman taught adult Sunday School classes for more than forty years. He is a past chair of the church’s Board of Trustees.

Herman made his peaceful transition from labor to reward on January 24, 2025.

He was survived by: his wife of sixty-four years, Olivia Weaver Washington; son, Wendell E. Washington of Clanton, AL; daughter, Dorcas E. Washington of Washington, DC; daughter, Karen W. Craig of Auburn, AL; granddaughter, Racheal V. Washington, and grandson, Westley E. Washington, both of Houston, TX; sisters, Maxine Autry, Marcellete Mitchell and Yvette Bracy, all of Daphne, AL; sisters-in-law, Mildred Henry of Fairfield, AL, Lillie M. Heath and Doris Brown, both of Center Point, AL;

Herman was blessed with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members that he cherished.

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