Funeral services for Coach Samuel Louis Washington, Sr. 82, of Natchez, MS will be held September 5, 2015 at 1:00pm from New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 418 Morgantown Road, Natchez, MS. Burial will be held Monday, September 7, 2015 at 10AM at the Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez with Pastor Dwight Greene officiating.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday evening at 5:30PM at the Fourth Street Church of Christ at 29 Fourth Street in Natchez.

He was born in Hattiesburg, MS, son of James and Myrtis Andrews Washington and died at his residence.

He served his country in the US Army from October 21, 1953 to April 30, 1962 earning an honorable discharge. Coach was a graduate of Natchez, Jr. College, Alcorn A & M College and did further studies at Mississippi State University. His teaching career started at the West Bolivard High School in Rosedale, MS. After one year there, he accepted a job with Jefferson County School District in Fayette, MS. There, he taught school, coached basketball, baseball, softball and football. He also refereed in various school districts and college level including Adams (Natchez), Jefferson County and throughout Mississippi. He was nominated for the Coach of the Year Award twenty six times during his career. He also had an opportunity to coach an All Star Team. He was a faithful member of Fourth Street Church of Christ where he served on the Leadership Committee and served in various other capacities in the church.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Powers Washington; four sons, Sa'Mel Washington of Natchez; Tredell Washington and his wife, Lorraine; Cedric Washington and his wife Felicia; Samuel Washington, Jr. and his wife, Jasmine all of Dallas, TXD; Sharina Wshington of Natchez; Ashley Dixon and her husband, Marshall of Wichita, KS; Cynthia Calip, Jayceline Reed and her husband, Casey; Hattie Anderson an her husband, Lamar; Mickie Scott and her husband, Rickey all of Dallas.

Also three sister, Myrtis Harris of Clarksdale, MS; Lelia Washington and Delilah Farve both of California; fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. ]

He is preceded in death by his parent, one brother, James Washington, one sister, Dorothy Jackson; three grandchildren, Randy Foster, Jr., Dwight Washington and Jimese Calip.