Public viewing for Mr. Roy Washington will be on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home from 8AM until 6PM. Per Mr. Washington's wishes, there will not be a funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Washington's memory to Dayton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Dayton, Ohio (https://naacpdayton.org).

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Roy Lee Washington, age 80, of Madison, Alabama passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Madison on December 13, 2024. Mr. Washington was born on June 4,1944 in Triana, Alabama to the late Willie B. Washington [September 3, 1927 –December 19, 2021] Parents: Mattie Gilliam Washington Ragland and Willie Washington and Mary Eliza Scruggs Washington Jefferson [April 26, 1927 – December 14, 2009] Parents: Cora Minor Scruggs and James Scruggs, from Madison, Alabama and Triana, Alabama, respectively.

Mr. Washington is survived by his only son Larry D. Tisdale (daughter-in-law Debora Bryson Tisdale) of Harvest, Alabama and three daughters Carolyn Washington (Wyche) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Zanderia Davis of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Nancy Washington Vaughn (son-in-law Wallace Hunter Vaughn) of Madison, Alabama. Mr. Washington is also survived by his six grandchildren: Tyrone D. Tisdale (Patricea Dixon Tisdale) of Harvest, Alabama; Erica Graham Patrick of Jackson, Tennessee; Latoya Tisdale Binford (Sidney C. Binford) of Huntsville, Alabama; Cora Yvonne Wyche of Tacoma, Washington; Nancy Sofia Lazo of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Mary Washington Vaughn of Madison, Alabama. Mr. Washington's eight great-grandchildren: Talia Elise Tisdale, Alanna Brooklyn Tisdale, Kaia Brielle Tisdale, Jordyn Danielle
Binford, Lauryn Denise Binford, Carmyn Dior Binford, Camylle Dienne Binford, and Sidney Denim-Joseph Binford, Jr., who all reside in the Huntsville Area.

Mr. Washington was an accomplished man with a rich history. After graduating from Councill Training [High] School on May 22, 1962 and studying at J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College in the 1960s, Mr. Washington volunteered to serve his country in the Vietnam War as an Airman First Class in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Mr. Washington's occupation in the Air Force was a carpenter and he received the following commendations prior to being honorably discharged: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Gand Good Conduct Medal. After his military service from August 23, 1962 until August 22, 1968, Mr. Washington pursued a career as a certified electrician and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

While working in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Mr. Washington met and married Mary Frances (Smith) Washington Willis of Athens, Tennessee, and together they started a family. He was an active member of his community and a passionate supporter of the NAACP. Additionally, Mr. Washington was a proud member of the Lincoln Lodge No. 99 Free and Accepted Masons of Prince Hall Alabama. Outside of work, Mr. Washington was an avid reader and lifelong learner who kept up with current events by watching documentaries and engaging in distance learning to further his knowledge. Mr. Washington took classes at J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College as an adult in the late 1990s. He also enjoyed bowling and was active in bowling leagues. In his younger years, Mr. Washington was known for his talents as a carpenter and repairman, and in later years, he took great pride in cultivating a bountiful vegetable garden. He generously shared the fruits of his labor with neighbors, friends, and family.

Mr. Washington was a hardworking, resilient man who valued education and instilled these principles in his children and grandchildren. His quick wit and kind-hearted nature brought smiles to those around him. Mr. Washington was always ready to support those in need, especially when it came to helping others achieve their educational goals.

A viewing will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The funeral home is located at 2501 Carmichael Avenue in Huntsville, Alabama. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") which is an organization that Mr. Washington was deeply passionate about and regularly supported financially. Roy Lee Washington's memory will live on through the love of his family and the many lives he touched throughout his 80 years. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.