Angie Mae Ash

Our beloved sister, aunt and friend was a woman of purpose, who loved God, loved her family, loved her children, and loved her community.

Angie Mae Ash was born on August 11, 1949, in Richland, Washington to the loving parents of Edward Ash, Sr. and Elma Ash. She passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023, after often stating during her illness that she was at peace and loved everyone.

At an early age, Angie professed Christ as her Savior and united with the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Pasco, Washington. There she faithfully served on the Usher Board for decades with her mother and Father. Later, she became advisor to the Junior Ushers and worked with the Finance Committee, as well as organized Vacation Bible School. Angie especially enjoyed teaching the children in Sunday School, using her excellent instructional skills to motivate students to develop a love and understanding of the word of God. She was a Christian woman role-model, who displayed kindness, gentleness, peacefulness, meekness, and faithfulness. These positive and Christ-like behaviors allowed her to touch and change students' lives.

In the early 1980's, Angie met Pastor Alphonso McCarthy and his family. Angie's desire and passion to better understand God's requirements, led her to participate in a series of Bible studies offered by Pastor McCarthy. In a recent testimony regarding these Bible studies, Angie stated, He changed me. A change came in my life. No more Rivershore, No more Shuffler Shanty, No more Commodores. She loved God and was determined to obey His word, so it made it easy for her to stop going to those places. Even when Angie's health began to fail, and it was challenging to maneuver, Angie continued to study God's word, attend church, and worship God.

Angie attended Whittier Elementary School, McLoughlin Junior High School and graduated from Pasco High School in 1967. Afterwards, Angie attended and graduated from Eastern Washington State College in Cheney, Washington in 1973, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She was the first African American from Pasco High School who then returned to teach in the Pasco School District. Very seldom does a young professional return to their hometown, to devote their entire life to serving their community. Angie taught at Captain Gray and Mark Twain Elementary schools. She also taught summer school at Isaac Stevens Middle School and Mark Twain Elementary. She took pride in serving on the following committees: Handwriting, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Spelling. Angie was active in the Pasco Association of Educators (PAE) as a building and district representative. She also attended national conventions on behalf of the Pasco teachers.

Throughout Angie's professional career, she continued her education and ultimately received her Master of Education Degree from Heritage College in Toppenish, Washington on May 22, 1993. As a classroom teacher, she was consistently complimented by parents, co-workers, and administrators on her positive manner with students, the time she spent on planning and organizing to improve student learning, as well as realizing that being a true educator means reaching out to the community. Angie possessed a "special gift" for loving, nurturing and advocating for all students, especially those needing assistance to reach their fullest potential. Prior to Angie's retirement, she was inducted into the prestigious Pasco High School Hall of Fame in 1999, to which she nominated several students who were also inducted. Angie challenging to maneuver, Angie continued to study God's word, attend church, and worship God.

Angie attended Whittier Elementary School, McLoughlin Junior High School and graduated from Pasco High School in 1967. Afterwards, Angie attended and graduated from Eastern Washington State College in Cheney, Washington in 1973, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She was the first African American from Pasco High School who then returned to teach in the Pasco School District. Very seldom does a young professional return to their hometown, to devote their entire life to serving their community. Angie taught at Captain Gray and Mark Twain Elementary schools. She also taught summer school at Isaac Stevens Middle School and Mark Twain Elementary. She took pride in serving on the following committees: Handwriting, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Spelling. Angie was active in the Pasco Association of Educators (PAE) as a building and district representative. She also attended national conventions on behalf of the Pasco teachers.

Throughout Angie's professional career, she continued her education and ultimately received her Master of Education Degree from Heritage College in Toppenish, Washington on May 22, 1993. As a classroom teacher, she was consistently complimented by parents, co-workers, and administrators on her positive manner with students, the time she spent on planning and organizing to improve student learning, as well as realizing that being a true educator means reaching out to the community. Angie possessed a "special gift" for loving, nurturing and advocating for all students, especially those needing assistance to reach their fullest potential. Prior to Angie's retirement, she was inducted into the prestigious Pasco High School Hall of Fame in 1999, to which she nominated several students who were also inducted. Angie dedicated her entire teaching career of 31 years to the Pasco School District and graciously retired in 2004. Following retirement, Angie took on the responsibility of working at Washington State University as a Student Teacher Supervisor. In this position, she was able to share her special and outstanding skills with potential teachers. She will always be remembered as a "teachers' teacher." In her own words Angie stated, "God has transformed my life history into lessons I can use to strengthen my faith, sharpen wisdom within me, and increase my joy. In regard to my journey through the Pasco School District, I have counted it all JOY!"

Angie loved and was actively involved in the Pasco Community. She worked diligently on many boards, projects, and committees. Her services included but are not limited to: The Afro-Americans for an Academic Society for over 30 years, Board of Directors of the Black Junior Miss Pageant, member of the Tri Cities NAACP, 4-H Club, and the East Pasco Neighborhood Council. Angie was awarded the distinguished 2009 Columbia Basin College Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award for her well-deserved service to the community. She was unwavering in her commitment and took great pride in working behind the scenes, wherever she was needed to accomplish the goal.

Angie was preceded in death by her grandmother, Angelica Lampkin and parents Edward Ash, Sr., and Elma Ash. She leaves to mourn her sisters, Mary Walker, Betty Stallworth and brother Edward Ash, Jr. (Johnetta). Within this family unit, there are numerous nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends.

dedicated her entire teaching career of 31 years to the Pasco School District and graciously retired in 2004. Following retirement, Angie took on the responsibility of working at Washington State University as a Student Teacher Supervisor. In this position, she was able to share her special and outstanding skills with potential teachers. She will always be remembered as a "teachers' teacher." In her own words Angie stated, "God has transformed my life history into lessons I can use to strengthen my faith, sharpen wisdom within me, and increase my joy. In regard to my journey through the Pasco School District, I have counted it all JOY!"

Angie loved and was actively involved in the Pasco Community. She worked diligently on many boards, projects, and committees. Her services included but are not limited to: The Afro-Americans for an Academic Society for over 30 years, Board of Directors of the Black Junior Miss Pageant, member of the Tri Cities NAACP, 4-H Club, and the East Pasco Neighborhood Council. Angie was awarded the distinguished 2009 Columbia Basin College Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award for her well-deserved service to the community. She was unwavering in her commitment and took great pride in working behind the scenes, wherever she was needed to accomplish the goal.

Angie was preceded in death by her grandmother, Angelica Lampkin and parents Edward Ash, Sr., and Elma Ash. She leaves to mourn her sisters, Mary Walker, Betty Stallworth and brother Edward Ash, Jr. (Johnetta). Within this family unit, there are numerous nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends.

Though Miss Angie Ash will be truly missed by all, her life lives on in the hearts and memories of those whose lives she touched.

Acknowledgements

The Ash family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude for the expressions of love and thoughtfulness that were extended through visits, telephone calls, cards, prayers, and verbal expressions during our time of need.

Special Thanks

We would also like to express special thanks to Tri- Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, Coumadin Clinic employees Cesar, Donna, therapist, and Dr. Woolfert, Kathleen Harris, Rodrick Jackson, Tim Jimerson, Theresa Lewis, Andrea Nash Burden, Marie Lewis Owens, Andrea Palomarez, Nurse Vivian, Pasco School District, and the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

Alcyone, thank you for the love, care, and dedication you gave to your Aunt Angie.