Spurgeon B. Washington Jr.

SPURGEON BANKS WASHINGTON JR., son of the late Nellie Franklin and Spurgeon Banks Washington Sr., was born on March 28, 1936 in Cumberland, Maryland. He departed this life on August 30, 2021. Spurgeon was raised by a village: his parents, aunts, uncles and any neighbor who decided they needed to get his attention. They instilled in him the importance of God, the importance of work ethics, and the importance of obtaining an education at an early age. To add insult to injury, one of his high school teachers was his Aunt Ruth who reprimanded him in front of his peers. She only had to do this once. Spurgeon attended and graduated from Cumberland Public Schools. Upon graduation, he enrolled in Morgan State College (now) Morgan University. After graduating from Morgan, he went to work for the Baltimore City Department of Public Welfare, now known as Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) as a caseworker. While working there, he was called to military service and enlisted in the Army National Guard in August 1960 serving for six years. He received an Honorable Discharge in August 1966. Spurgeon rapidly moved through the ranks from caseworker at BCDSS to supervisor and onto the position of Assistant District Manager. He applied for and received approval to transfer to the State Department of Child Support Enforcement. He supervised the Western MD County Offices as well as some offices on the Eastern Shore. Spurgeon retired from State service in 1994 after suffering from a stroke while on the job. He worked with the State of Maryland for approximately 35 years. Spurgeon met and married Jeanne Noble. They became the proud parents of Spurgeon B. Washington III. There was nothing more important to him than his son. He always provided for his family and made it possible for Spurgeon to attend college. He supported Spurgeon III through all his endeavors, especially while he cared for his mom during her illness. Spurgeon III always knew his Dad was there for him if needed. Spurgeon’s marriage to Jeanne ended in separation. Spurgeon met Joanne Rucks and their friendship blossomed. Soon they became inseparable. Spurgeon then became a “girl Dad” immediately after meeting Monica. As time went on, both Spurgeon and Joanne saw themselves as parents of two children (a son and a daughter). Big Spurgeon always introduced Monica as his daughter and Spurgeon III became Joanne’s son. Spurgeon III and Monica referred to themselves as siblings. Big Spurgeon was a gift to us…He was phenomenal. There are not enough adjectives to describe him. Just to name a few, he was loving, understanding, caring, giving, compassionate, loyal, intelligent and even funny when he wanted to be. With his extraordinary personality, he warmed the hearts of many. His passing leaves an unfillable void in the minds and hearts of all who knew him. He loved and was loved in return by his family. Spurgeon leaves to mourn: Son, Spurgeon III, daughter, Monica Rucks; his life partner, best friend and soulmate Joanne Rucks. Ms. Anna Palmer, affectionately known as Ms. AP, nephews, Guy Noble, Jay Noble and their families, special cousins Walter Franklin, Dennis Miller and their families. Reginald Charity, whom “he took under his wings and mentored. Special friends William (Bill) Lyght and Gerald Harrison. Other loving cousins, dear friends and his fur baby Dallas, better known as “Puppy”

Tributes

Spurgeon B. Washington Jr.

March 28, 1936 - August 30, 2021