Thomas & Josephine
Washington Family
Washington Family
Our endeavor is to maintain our family ties and educate future generations on the faith, resilience, love, and the enduring legacy of our ancestors.
Our journey began in 1890, when Thomas "Papa Tom" Washington (born March 6, 1869) and Josephine "Momma Jo" Washington (born March 25, 1873) built a life together on a leased farm in Grand Cane, Louisiana. In an era when Black families faced immense challenges, they nurtured their growing household with strength, faith, and determination.
Together, they were blessed with 16 children, though heartbreak struck early with the loss of their three eldest sons. The remaining 13 children carried their legacy forward, shaping a family rooted in love, perseverance, and unity.
Papa Tom and Momma Jo instilled deep family values, ensuring their children remained connected across generations. Their children shared a close and loving bond, often naming their own children after one another—a tradition that honored their ancestors and reinforced the strength of family ties. Raised with an unshakable sense of identity, faith, and responsibility, they carried these values forward, shaping the Washington family for generations to come.
Momma Josephine passed away at the age of 57, and Papa Tom later remarried Florida. Despite life's changes, he remained devoted to keeping the family united. He encouraged them to stay in touch, attend services at Flower Hill Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana (DeSoto Parish), and gather for family barbecues—both at his home and at the homes of his children.
As opportunities arose, many of Thomas and Josephine's children and grandchildren joined the Great Migration, leaving the Jim Crow South in search of a better life. Some relocated through military service, while others pursued education and new career paths. Over time, the Washington family spread far beyond Louisiana, with relatives now calling Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and beyond home.
Yet, no matter where life led them, family remained at the heart of everything.
Many years after Papa Tom's passing, his granddaughter Roberta Black (daughter of Mary Jane) felt a deep calling to preserve the legacy of Thomas and Josephine Washington. Determined to keep the family connected, she formed a committee alongside co-founders Mary Bell Johnson (daughter of Lillie) and Mary Graham (daughter of Luella "Mama Lou").
The committee also included a minister, secretary, treasurer, and contact members, all dedicated to ensuring the success of this endeavor. Together, in 1980, they established the Washington Family Reunion, creating a tradition that would honor their ancestors and strengthen family bonds for generations to come.
The first official gathering was held in Shreveport, Louisiana, in honor of Thomas and Josephine's enduring legacy. Since then, every two years, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, we have come together to celebrate our heritage, share stories, and strengthen our bonds. Through laughter, shared meals, and cherished traditions, we uphold Papa Tom's timeless message:
"We've Come This Far by Faith"
When the first Washington Family Reunion was planned in 1980, the committee chose a song that embodied our family's journey:
🎶 We've come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord,
Trusting in His holy word,
He's never failed us yet… 🎶
Through hardships, migrations, and triumphs, faith has been our foundation—just as it was for Papa Tom and Momma Jo as they built a life for their children. At every reunion, as voices rise in unison, we are reminded:
Through it all, we've come this far by faith—and we are still a family.
Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" – Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
For generations, unity has been the heartbeat of the Washington Family. From the days of Papa Tom and Momma Jo, who raised their children with faith and love, to the many generations that have followed, our family has stood strong through prayer, perseverance, and an unbreakable bond.
This scripture is more than just a verse—it is a reflection of who we are. No matter the distance, no matter life's trials, we remain one family, united in love and faith.
"A Family That Prays Together, Stays Together"
Faith in Jesus Christ has always been the foundation of the Washington Family. Rooted in Christian values, our family has endured through prayer, unity, and unwavering trust in God—a legacy passed down from Papa Tom and Momma Jo.
At each biennial reunion, we come together for our Family Worship Service on Sunday morning, giving praise and thanksgiving to God. Just as Papa Tom led his family in faith at Flower Hill Baptist Church, we continue to worship, pray, and grow together in Christ.
We are a family built on faith, guided by prayer, and sustained by God's grace.
As we continue to grow and strengthen our family connections, we are developing several online platforms to keep us informed, connected, and engaged:
📌 WashingtonFamilyReunion.com – Your go-to source for upcoming reunion details and recaps of past reunions.
📌 WashingtonFamilyHeritage.com – A dedicated space for our family's history, featuring stories, post-Civil War American history, and a decade-by-decade timeline.
📌 WashingtonFamilyTree.com – A genealogy hub for recording our lineage, family research, grave sites, and more.
📌 Social Media Presence – Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and beyond to share updates and stories.
How You Can Help:
If you have skills or interest in writing, researching, website management, social media, video editing, or graphic design, we'd love to have you on the Washington Family Digital Content Team!