Mrs. Felicia Eileen Washington

Felicia Eileen (Owens) Washington was born to John & Henrietta Owens, in Greenport, Long Island, New York, on February 26th, 1960. She grew up there until the family moved to Saint Louis County (University City), Missouri, in 1969. Felicia’s new school in University City was Greensfelder Park Elementary. Her class had a small selection of “pets” (guinea pigs, gerbils, frogs, snakes, & birds). The teacher accepted volunteers to be caretakers for the pets, so that the students could learn to be caring, loving, and responsible. Her experience with the pets not only helped to develop her character, but her desire to want to become a veterinarian. Early in her life, as a young teen, Felicia accepted Christ as her personal savior, and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church. As a member of Antioch, she also became a member of the youth choir. This combined her love for singing and her passion for music. While her dream to become a veterinarian did not come to pass, it did translate into developing a desire to serve her fellowman. In 1980, Felicia married her longtime boyfriend, ‘Tony’ (Turley) Washington. One year later, their union was to be blessed with a son, Romano Rio Washington. Since high school, combined with her love for cooking, Felicia had worked in the food service industry, all of her working life. Her last place of employment was at the ‘Fatted Calf’ restaurant, in Clayton MO., where she worked for over 15 years, before it eventually closed. Additionally, Felicia attended L’Ecole Culinaire culinary school to expand her culinary skills. Felicia’s hobbies included collecting music (albums & cd’s), movies, working crossword puzzles, Sudoku, & brain twisters, and reading mysteries & love novels. Following a trip to the emergency room on Memorial Day, for what she thought was just to find the cause of ‘why’ her leg was hurting, the doctors found out that not only was her leg broken, but that she was in renal failure and had stage 4 cancer in four locations in her body. The doctors performed two surgeries on her leg to repair the fracture, but sadly, Felicia was never to leave the hospital. After seven weeks of hospitalization, her sunset came early Monday morning (July 25th), at 5:40 am CST. Her father, John E. Owens Sr., preceded Felicia in death. The immediate family who survives Felicia is: her son, Romano R. Washington, her mother, Henrietta D. Owens, and her two brothers; John E. Owens II & Geoffrey M. Owens (wife/sister-in-law; Lorraine Shannon-Owens). Two aunts, a host of cousins, extended family, and friends also survive her. Felicia’s ‘light-of-life’ went out too quickly, and she will be sorely missed, but on ‘The Last Day’, we will see you again. ****************** Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death. The Risen Christ, Our Hope 1 Corinthians 15: 12–19 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ has not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. Our Final Victory 1 Corinthians 15: 50-57 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51, 52 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54, 55 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting?” “O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Comfort of Christ’s Coming 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

Mrs. Felicia Eileen Washington

February 26, 1960 - July 25, 2016