Obituary of Connie Gilbert

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Connie Sue Gilbert (nee Washington), aged 83, made her journey home to the Lord on Monday, November 6, 2023. Connie was the 4th of 8 children born to the late William (Bus) Washington, Sr., and Evelyn Washington (nee Coates). She is preceded in death by her siblings; an infant brother, William “Brother”, Mary Ann, John R., Bonita, and Billye Jean. Connie was born January 30, 1940 in Columbia, Missouri and attended elementary, junior school and high schools at Frederick Douglass, a K-12 education facility for Black students. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1958, choosing to remain with her classmates at her segregated school instead of integrating Hickman High School after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling in 1954. Connie was a popular cheerleader at Douglass and enjoyed hanging out with her friends and cousins. She attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO to study Business. Connie met the love of her life, Jackie Carl “Jack” at a house party after an introduction by her cousin. They were married August 25, 1963 amongst a host of family and friends and went on to celebrate almost 53 years of marriage. Her beloved Jack preceded her in death on February 16, 2016. After their marriage, Connie lived in Columbia and then briefly lived in Kansas City, MO. It was there in Kansas City that the twosome of Jack and Connie added one more, their daughter DeAndra Lynn. In 1972, Connie left her home state and moved to Reston, Virginia which became her second home for the next 50 years. Connie began working at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 1974 as an Administrative Assistant and then moved up to the position of Writer-Editor in the Coal Branch. She remained with USGS until her early retirement in 1996. After a year of quiet retirement, she returned to working status through temping. She enjoyed the variety of working for different agencies and did so from 1998 until 2009. Connie was a devout Christian and held her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ close to her heart and soul. She loved to read the Bible and listen to gospel music. She joined the Christian Community Fellowship Church in 1977 and then joined the newly established Martin Luther King Jr Christian Church (MLK) in 1982. As a devoted member of MLK, she was a member of the church choir, the usher board and was appointed a Deaconess, a position she joyfully held until her death. Connie deeply loved her church family and felt that many members were part of her extended family. Connie was a devoted wife to Jack and mother to Lynn. Connie and Jack loved to travel, play practical jokes on family members and loved to host family functions. She loved her family and was very close to her youngest sister Bonita, who moved to VA in 1973 to help her raise Lynn and to be near family. The two of them were inseparable until Bonita’s passing. She loved to sing, having been blessed with an operatic soprano voice. She was a poet and would surprise her friends with composed verses. Connie loved to read, especially romance novels and had several in her book collection. She loved holidays, especially Christmas and would collect angels and Santa Clauses. With every meal that Connie and Jack loved to cook and share, they included their beloved Coca-Cola. Connie was known for her kindness and her sweet nature but could have a snappy comeback to make someone laugh. She was always ready to help a friend or family member and was always known to have sweets and candy around the house. She loved children and once had dreams of becoming a school teacher. Connie is survived by her daughter DeAndra Lynn Gilbert of Linthicum Heights, MD, her beloved brother Larry “Stink” Washington of Bates City, MO, sister-in-law Juanita Washington of Columbia, MO, close nieces and nephews; Amber (John) Adames of Glen Burnie, MD, Leslye Johnson of Dallas, TX, Lisa Johnson of Dallas, TX and Lorri Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN and close nephews Rob (LaShana) Washington-Anderson of Gainsville, VA, Keith (Connie) Ballenger of Inglewood, CA, Donald (Sherye) Johnson of Atlanta,