Ms. Joan Shaver Washington

Passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Friday, August 4, 2017. Board Member for the City of Cleveland Zoning Appeals Board. Cherished mother of Tonia Washington Oglesby and James Todd Washington, beloved sister of Benjamin Shaver (Carole) and Dr. Anthony Pearson-Shaver (Rena) of Macon, GA, grandmother of Kimberly Buchanan (Joseph) and Jada T. Washington, great-grandmother of Sinai and Isaiah Buchanan, dear niece of Daisy Shaver of Brooklyn, NY, former wife of James H. Washington, aunt of many nieces and nephews and loved by many other relatives and friends. Obituary for Joan Shaver Washington The world became a better place on March 18, 1932 the day Joan Shaver Washington was born. Cleveland, Ohio was the home of her parents, the late Harrison “Pete” Shaver and Frances “Peggy” Shaver. Joan was the eldest of three children, followed by Benjamin and Anthony. Joan was called home to rest on August 4, 2017. Joan first accepted Jesus Christ and became a member of Saint James AME on Cedar Avenue where her spiritual faith was formed. Her final church home was Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, where her spiritual faith was cemented and political interests heightened. Joan grew up in the bustling and eclectic Cedar neighborhood where she formed lifelong relationships. She attended Observation Elementary School, Fairmount Jr. High School and John Adams High school. She continued her higher education at Kent State University where she commuted each day while working and caring for her family, multitasking even then. She also attended classes in New York City at Columbia University. Her first job was at Franklin’s Ice Cream Store where she met her future husband James H. Washington. The young couple went to New York City and the innovative Joan landed a guest spot on the TV show “This is Your Life” hosted by Johnny Carson, who was captivated by her beauty and charm. Joan embraced the spotlight then and never let it go. The prize money from the show was used towards the purchase of a home in a new development in the Lee/Miles area, a progressive move in the 1950’s. Upon residency she immediately championed several community projects; two of which were the installation of sidewalks and a completion of a sewer system. She found more than a home on Lipton Avenue. She became involved in the Street Club as well as the Ward Club. This was just the beginning of what would be a lifelong pursuit of activism. Her quest to right civil injustices led her to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to join in local protests. Her intense love for community service lead her to becoming a social worker for Cuyahoga County and eventually the State of Ohio for more than 33 years of combined service. The responsibilities of these positions became a perfect fit for Joan’s sparkling personality and intelligence. These positions suited her perfectly and helped to form lifelong relationships with friends, strangers, clients and co-workers from all walks of life. Upon retiring from the State of Ohio she became caregiver to her youngest grandchild for three years. She continued her community activism accepting the position of Precinct Community Chairperson. One her proudest achievements is when she accepted the position as board member of the City of Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals. Initially appointed by Mayor Michael R. White: she maintained her position under former Mayor Jane Campbell and for three consecutive terms under The Honorable Mayor Frank G. Jackson where she worked until her last week on this earth. Joan was a proud, never tiring, faithful member of the Black Women’s Political Action Committee, where she served as a member and also became a member of the Executive Board. Joan was a proud citizen of Cleveland a big local sports fan, loved riding horses, a champion and award winning roller-skater. Yes Joan was a self-confessed chocoholic. Joan loved all things beautiful: art, music, nature, fashion and traveling. Her deepest love was reserved for people, she loved them all. She was well versed and cared deeply for the human condition and strived for a better world through change and love. Joan most of all was a devoted and loving Christian woman of God. She leaves a loving family of two brothers Benjamin Shaver (Carole) and Dr. Anthony L. Pearson-Shaver (Rena), two children Tonia C. Washington Oglesby and James Todd Washington, two grandchildren Kimberly A. Buchanan (Joseph) and Jada T. Washington, two great grandchildren Sinai R. Buchanan and Isaiah J. Buchanan. Her deep love for serving the needs of others cannot be surpassed and she left this world truly a better place! Her memberships and or accomplishments were: Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals - Board Member City of Cleveland - Housing Advisory Board Cuyahoga Democratic - Executive Board Black Women’s Political Action Committee (BWPAC) –Member & Former Executive Board Member 4th District Citizen Police Academy Lifetime Member NAACP/Lifetime Member Council of Negro Member Cleveland Restoration Society-Member/Lee Seville Citizens Council Harvard Community Service Center - Member

Ms. Joan Shaver Washington

March 18, 1932 - August 4, 2017