Biography: Mary Jane Eaton was born on September 11, 1929 to the late Maybell Davis and Henry B. Washington in Eutawville, S.C., where she attended & graduated from the public-school system.
In 1949, Mary journeyed to New York City with high hopes of seeking great employment opportunities. She tried several avenues to find her niche, one of them being in the retail industry. This seemed to fit her well, only because she was one of the “Fashionistas” of her family. Mary loved to “Dress to Impress,” most times wearing her favorite color, purple. Whether it was casual wear or picking out her Sunday Best, topping it off with the right bonnet, as she entered the room seemed to lighten up by her charismatic smile. Some of her other loves were driving and traveling. When she was able to, Mary loved to visit friends and family and would go anywhere her heart desired. Mary never had a problem letting you know how she felt about you or a situation, but if you were in need of anything, she would be there for you.
Mary finally found her niche when she began working for Local 32BJ as an Office Cleaner in Penn Station. Mary was always a neat person, so she took her job very seriously at work, at home and in other people’s homes. Everything had to be just right and in its place. She spent 26 years with Local 32BJ and was able to retire and continue her love for travelling and impressing while she dressed.
On May 22, 1965, Mary Jane and Oscar Lee Eaton were joined in Holy Matrimony with the blessings of their family and friends. This union lasted many years until July 1992, when Oscar was called home to be with the Lord.
Mary was a member of Springfield Baptist Church in Harlem since the 1960’s, but in 2014, she moved her membership to St. Luke Baptist Church, where she attended until her health failed. Mary Jane Eaton was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, May 1, 2018.
Preceded her in death, was her husband, Oscar Lee and two daughters, Susie Middleton and Theresa Washington and one grandson, Ronald.
She leaves to cherish fond memories: her loving & dedicated daughter and son-in-law, Betsy & Louis Nelson; Adoptive son, Lawrence Timberland & goddaughter, Tanisha Boone; Grandchildren, Jacqueline, Kendall, Wendi (Tim), Wanda, Dinah, Jermaine, Jamel, Chanique (Samuel), John & Lyndira; Three sisters, Ernestine Spann (Christopher) of NY, Mary Hart (Carl), Dorothy Lewis both of FL and Louise Daniels; Two brothers, Omar White of NY & Sam Washington of SC; Two special nieces, Cynthia Hilliard-Beach & Beverly Singleton; A loving nephew, Dr. Carl Hart; Seventeen great-grandchildren & four great-great grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family & friends.
