Funeral services for Coit Samuel Washington, 79, of Winnsboro, were held on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 4 p.m. at the New Hope A.M.E. Church. Pastor Rev. Phillip Washington officiated.Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were nephews and floral bearers were missionaries.

Mr. Washington died on July 19, 2008.

Born in Fairfield County on September 28, 1928, he was a son of the late Elliott and Ida Washington of Winnsboro.

He was a member of the New Hope AME Church. Coit served in the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged on August 31, 1959.

During his tenure in the military, he was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Coit was the local owner and operator of the Washington Construction Company. He has past affiliations with the following organizations: Former board member of Midlands Human Resources Development Commission, first African American Chairman of Fairfield County Council (instrumental in the negotiation of Mack Trucking and Rite-Aid Pharmacy coming to Winnsboro), past president of Fairfield County Progressive Citizens Organization, former member of the Ebony Business Men’s League, Cub Scouts, United Contractors, Central Midlands Regional Planning Council, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Substance Abuse Commission, Horeb-Greenbrier-Hickory Ridge Community Development Organization, Frank Pauling Lodge No. 1584, and former chairman of the Neighborhood Policy Advisory Committee. Coit, was also a life member of the NAACP.

Coit was joined in Holy matrimony to the late Willa Brice on December 27, 1953. During this union two daughters were born.

Survivors include his son, John Thomas Pearson of Baltimore, Maryland; two daughters, Albertina Washington-Green of Columbia, SC; Cassandra (Ray) Johnson of Winnsboro, SC; four sisters, Etta Mae Williams, Carne Lou Anderson, Cora Lee Chappell and Thelma Inez Kennedy all of Winnsboro, SC; one brother Robert Washington of Winnsboro, SC; six grandchildren; a devoted niece, Bernice Ruth Davis, and nephew, Stanley Q. Washington, a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brother -in-law, and friends. He was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife, Willa, and two brothers, Lonnie and Elliott Washington.

Glover’s Memorial Chapel served the Washington family.