Charlene Doss-Washington

Charlene Doss-Washington was born on June 5, 1953, to her parents, Charles Lee Doss, Sr. and Patty Jo Campbell Doss in Meridian, Mississippi. She was the 2nd of 8 children born in the family. When Charlene and her twin sister, Jolene were 8 years old, they had a severe case of Mumps. They remember their mother using a home remedy which consisted of rubbing sardine juice on their faces and placing a diaper on their head. While in school, the twins were extremely close; they would often like the same boys. They both performed in church plays; entertaining the church congregation with their high energy and dance talent. The family relocated to Denver, Colorado, when Charlene was fifteen years old. She completed her fundamental education by graduating from Manual High School. She furthered her education by attending Denver Business College also in Denver. On March 18, 1972, Charlene united in holy matrimony to Harold E. Gillespie, who she met in Denver. To this union, four beautiful children, Tina, Andre, Temeisha, and Tierre were born. She was a proud and nurturing mother whose pride and joy was the care of her family. She enjoyed volunteering for events and projects within her children's schools. She helped sell Girl Scout cookies and creating papier-mâché art. Christmas was always a special time for Charlene; her Christmas trees were always decorated beautifully. She loved birthday parties and planning activities that were filled with fun and always exciting. Her children fondly remember her chasing them around the house with her dentures in hand, yelling at them to "brush them teeth or be like me." They all shared many happy and precious moments together. On June 17, 2000, Charlene married Eddy Washington. They enjoyed listening to R&B music and spending time together. She was later blessed with eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Tamiya, Nazai, Makayla, Ariana, Dasha, Delaney, AJ, Khalil, Kanoa, Violet, and one great grandchild, Athena, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They remember she hated cold weather, but loved having snowball fights with them, eating candy corn, and all the visits to her home. By profession, Charlene was employed by the State of Colorado working as an Administrative Clerk. Later, she worked for Wells Fargo Bank in Arizona. She was hard-working, dedicated, and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Charlene accepted the Lord as her personal savior when she was young. She joined Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Aurora, Colorado under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend D. M. Survine. She also attended Heritage Christian Center under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Dennis Leonard. Charlene was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed knitting, cooking, reading, and watching her favorite television shows. She loved her pet dog, Chloé, and enjoyed taking her for walks. She loved the quality time shared with family and friends. Her closest friends were Rene, Judy, Vera, Angie, and Peachy. Who will miss her outgoing personality, her laugh and her ability to bring joy into the lives of others. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman. To know Charlene was to love her. She is preceded in death by her father, Charles L. Doss, Sr. Charlene Washington departed this life on February 4, 2017, in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include two sons, Andre M. (Cher) Gillespie and Tierre Munchie J. Gillespie (Angie Benson-Miller) all of Denver; two daughters, Tina D. Metzler of Humacao, Puerto Rico and Temeisha J. Gillespie of Aurora; six brothers, Charles Doss, Jr., of Aurora, Michael Doss, of Denver, Ronald (Tamara) Doss, of Phoenix, AZ, Jerrell Doss, Charles Blaine Doss, of Denver, and Richie Doss of Phoenix AR; her twin sister, Jolene (Clark) Doss-Holloway of Denver; 11 grandchildren, Jessica A Metzler, Tamiya A Metzler, Nazai M Williams, Ariana I. Miller, Dasha S. Miller, Delaney S. Miller, Chinyere V. Miller, Makayla L. Benson, Andre M. Gillespie Jr, Khalil T. Sellers, Kanoa A. Gillespie, and one great grandchild, Athena Rivoire; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 2/9/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 2/10/2017 at 3:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 2/10/2017 - Following the service... Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 2428 Ogden Street, Denver, CO