Selma James Washington was born on September 21, 1933 to the late Arthur James and Flora Coppins James (Alexander) in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. Mrs. Washington attended the local schools in Alabama. She united in Christ at a young age and joined Cross Road Baptist Church.

Mrs. Washington moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1954. Once in Jacksonville, she expressed her Christian faith by joining Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her illness and call home to the Lord. Mrs. Washington retired from the Duval County School Board in 1997 after 25 years of service.

Selma married the late, Sam Washington who preceded her in death in 2004. Mrs. Washington was also preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Flora James; her sister, Mary James Vann; brother, Robert Lee Howell; and nephew, Ronald Gene Vann.

On Sunday morning, December 18, 2016, God called her home to rest.

Selma leaves to cherish her memories, her very devoted nephew and nieces: Ernest L. Vann, Sr. (Cynthia); Eleanor Vann Price (John), Dr. Valerie Vann, Knoxville, TN, Keisha Bell, Retha Bell Vann, Phoenix, City, AL, Shernita Cooper (James) St. Petersburg, FL, Robert Lee Howell, Jr. (Evelyn), Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Liz Washington Arnold and Beatrice Stewart, both of Goose Creek, SC, Lou Reese (David), Upper Marlboro, MD, Jeanette Washington, Tuscaloosa, AL, S. Dennis Washington (Valerie) and H. James Washington, both of Louisa, VA; great nieces, Barbara (Garfield), Jacqueline (James), Meliscia (Victor, Sr.), Tiffany (Corey), Johnese (Alton), Raven, and Kierra; great nephews, Ronald (Tia), Ernest, Jr., Steven (Linda), Quincy (Noreen), Eric, Shawn, and a host of great-great nieces and nephews; special cousins, Dorothy Coppins Ford, Gloria Coppins, both of Fort Mitchell, AL, Ernest Coppins, Jr. (Angela) Birmingham, AL, and Katherine Graves; two sister-in-laws, Eleanor Vann Black and Loretta Vann both of Fort Mitchell, AL; dear friends, Etha Davis, A. Jackie Price, and Virginia Lawton of Walterboro, SC; god daughter, Joann Singleton; and many devoted family members and friends.

The funeral service for Selma James Washington will be held 11:00 am WEDNESDAY at the Samuel C. Rogers, Jr. Memorial Chapel, 4315 N. Main St. The visitation will be held 5 - 7:00 pm, Tuesday, at the mortuary. Interment in Restlawn Cemeteries. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234