Rev. Dr. Laura Ann Patterson Washington

Born, Laura Ann Patterson, affectionately called "Diane" to the late Elijah Patterson Sr. and Ophelia English-Patterson on March 1, 1947, in Rahway, NJ. She is the fourth of five children. Laura was predeceased by two brothers Edward "Dube" Patterson & George R. Patterson. Laura grew up in Linden, NJ and was reared at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Kenilworth & First Baptist Church, Linden where she was an active youth. She graduated from the Linden Public School System. She was married to Richard D. Foster in 1965 and from this union two daughters were born, Andrea L. Foster-Spears and Alanna L. Foster. 

Laura enrolled in Rutgers The State University - Newark, NJ in 1976, where she began her educational journey. After completing 6 years of night school, she proudly walked with honors and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Science/Business Administration on May 26, 1983, with all her family surrounding her. 

She met her soulmate/life partner, Samuel Alexander Washington, Jr., whom she affectionately called "buddy" in 1980, and he would attest to the fact that she was a "tough nut to crack," but he managed to win her heart and the two later married on June 30, 1984. They have been in wedded bliss for 40 years. While attending First Baptist Church Linden, for many years under the leadership of the late Samuel E. Schell and the late G. George Abnathya, Laura along with her husband, headed the Youth Department. She never met a child that she did not attempt to personally guide in accordance with God's word, and she was truly loved by all the youth she encountered. Laura sang and served as treasurer of the Senior and Mass Choirs and served on the Deaconess and Missionary boards. 

In 1993 she enrolled in the New Brunswick Theological Seminary @ Rutgers, where she attended until 1995. She and her husband relocated to Charlotte, NC in 1995 with the company they both worked for, Horizon Lines, formally known as Sealand Service, Inc./CSX Lines. It was in North Carolina where she continued her education by enrolling in the Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte in 1996 where she received a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies on May 30, 1998. Laura and Sam joined the University Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC (now known as The Park Church) under the leadership of Bishop Claude R. Alexander, Jr., D.Min., Pastor where she accepted the call into ministry, received her license to preach and served as an Associate Minister. She had her initial sermon on February 28, 2004 and was later ordained by the late Rev. William T. Jackson, Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Salisbury, NC. Dr. Washington served faithfully at "The Park" and was heavily involved within the church where she taught Sunday School classes, held divorce recovery counseling, marriage counseling, and did missionary work with the churches outreach ministry. She was afforded the opportunity to go on a short-term missionary journey to South Africa and Swaziland Africa in December 2004. She has been blessed to travel extensively and has seen many parts of the world.  

Laura continued her educational journey and enrolled in Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC where she received a Doctorate of Ministry- 

Christian Education Degree on December 12, 2008. Laura had a long fulfilling career at Horizon-Lines working as an Accountant. She also worked in Marketing and Finance, later becoming Manager of Revenue Operations. After utilizing her gift of administration in Corporate America, the Lord allowed her to retire after 30 years of service. Laura then began to use that same administrative gift for the benefit of the kingdom. She served as Associate Pastor of Solid Rock Church of God, Salisbury NC, where her husband serves as Senior Pastor. 

Dr. Washington was a huge diehard Dallas Cowboys Fan, and L.A. Lakers Fan. Just as she was a fan of sports, she was committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, also known as our "Gospel Gangster" a woman of strength, courage, faith with a BIG heart holding to what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:3-5, Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, Laura went home to be with the Lord peacefully at home. She leaves to cherish fond memories, her husband, Pastor Samuel A. Washington, Jr.; brother, Elijah Patterson, Jr. (Marie) of Linden, NJ; sister, Ruth Jones (Larry) Plainfield, NJ; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Y. Patterson Linden, NJ; Sandra Hearns (John), Lansing, Michigan; daughters, Andrea L. Spears (Chris) Plainfield, NJ & Alanna L. Foster, Charlotte, NC; 4 grandchildren, Breana M. Spears, Nataisa J. Holmes, Zion L. Spears, Zaire A. Spears; great grandson, Justin M. Dunbar; four godchildren, Diane D. Jones, Xenia R. Baker, Jerry E. Jones, Jr., & Natalia Jackson; best friends, Lugenia "Jeannie" Barden & Ellen Wilder, her long-time "7-UP" sister/friends and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.