Flora "'Joy'" Lajoy Washington

Flora L. Joy (Johnson) Washington, 90, was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Maple Crest Health Systems, Omaha, NE. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, June 17, 2017, at Trinity Unity Methodist Church. Pastor Jocelyn Foster will officiate. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Talking Books and Braille Service 1200 N St. Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Joy was born April 11, 1927, to Artie Richard and Emma (Walker) Johnson Sr. in Lathrop, MO. The family moved to Lexington, NE, where Joy graduated from Lexington High School in 1945. After high school she immediately went to work at the local hospital.



She loved to cook and bake. Her favorite dessert was lemon meringue pie. Joy was an avid reader and owned a wide variety of books. She also collected cookbooks. When she wasnt cooking or reading she was working on her multiple embroidery projects. Joy was also a member of the Order of The Eastern Star.



She met Henry H. Washington, and they married on June 17, 1961, in Lexington, NE. She moved to Grand Island where Henry lived and they raised three children. When she wasnt caring for her family she was working. She was employed at the Lutheran Hospital, Cornhusker Ordnance Plant, and would retire from a lengthy career as a CNA at the Nebraska Veterans Home.



After her retirement she began to lose her sight and became involved in the Visually Impaired Support Group. She loved traveling and took many trips with her children and grandchildren. She moved to Omaha, NE, in 2006, where she attended Union Memorial United Methodist Church.



Joy leaves behind to cherish her warm and loving spirit, Brother- Artie Richard Johnson, Jr., Lexington, NE; Children- Jayne Estell, Omaha, NE; Henry Washington, Jr. (Minnie), Grand Island, NE; Jackie Littlejohn, Atlanta, GA; Step daughter Judith Mitchell, Los Angeles, CA; Grandchildren- Whitney Littlejohn, Omaha, NE; Zurisha Gary, Omaha, NE; C.J. Littlejohn (Stacey), Fullerton, CA; William Smith (Danielle), Bellevue, NE; Joshua Littlejohn, Denver, CO; Kevin Estell, Jr. Omaha, NE; Takyra Estell, Omaha, NE, David Mitchell, Los Angeles, CA, 10 great-grandchildren, A host of family and friends.



Roland, granddaughter- Caroline Mitchell, infant son, and her husband Henry H. Washington, Sr. precede her in death.