Obituary of Anna Mae French

Anna Mae was born in Buttonwood, New Castle, Delaware on October 13, 1923. Her parents were Harrison and Matilda
Thurston. She transitioned on Monday, February 4, 2019, at 11:30 am, in her home here in Dunleith.
Anna Mae received her early childhood education in a one room schoolhouse in Buttonwood, where she developed a love
for reading. She was raised by caring foster parents in the small community of Buttonwood, from age 5 to age 16.
While there, she acquired a best friend and foster sister named Henrietta, and they remained close throughout the years.
Mom shared some funny stories about the various mischievous things they got into. Not long after leaving her foster
family, she met and fell in love with Oscar Washam Jr. They married and from that union produced seven children; Joan,
Lamaas, Tyrone, Bernard, Joyce, Gary, and Wayne.
During those early years and with a growing family, she contributed to their support. Anna Mae was a hard and dedicated
worker. As a domestic, she cared for the homes and raised children of other families of affluence in and around
Wilmington.

Anna Mae, as a mother, showed us by example, the importance of having a good work ethic in making money to help
improve one’s circumstances. She enjoyed reading and understood that good books should be in the home. She made
sure that her children had a good set of encyclopedias to aid and reinforce their education.
Anna Mae was a good cook and pastry baker. All the family and friends enjoyed her tasty creations of cakes, cookies and
pies.

Anna Mae was married a second time to a nice southern gentleman, Benny French. They enjoyed several years together.
She also enjoyed close friendship bonds with a group of ladies who enjoyed spending time together. Carmen Williams
and Barbara Howard are two of those friends still with us.
Anna Mae became a member of Coleman Memorial United Methodist Church, during its early beginnings, along with her
children. She was an active participant for years until her health declined. She loved her church and was a dedicated
communion steward for several years.
To know her is to love her and she was always welcoming and kind and held a special place in many hearts of family and
friends alike.

Anna Mae was preceded in death by four of her children; Wayne, Ben, Joan, Tyrone and husband Benny French.
She outlived four siblings; Raymond Thurston, Clarence and James Branch, Gertrude Hargis and her mother Matilda
Branch. She leaves to cherish her memories her remaining children; Lamaas Shankaras, (Lamont Washam), Joyce McQueen
andGary Washam (wife Valerie). Twenty three grandchildren; Donna Jackson, Dwight Cole, Sheila Wilkins, Eugenia Cole,
Dartona Washam, Lamaas Jr., Roman, Caanan andArian Shankaras,Vina Stukes, Nicole Watkins, Tyrone Washam Jr.,
Sherry Weaver, Ben Washam, Phyllis Johnson, Robin Johnson, Aaron Ford, Gary Washam Jr., Iyesha Washam, Haneefah
Washam, Brahim Wilson, Chynera and Omar Williams, fifty great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins
and friends.