Honoring Mrs. Frances O. Washington as Grand Marshal

Born in Oregon, Missouri in 1916, Frances O. Washington is a St. Charles centenarian, having reached the age of 100 on April 30th of this year. A former educator, she taught elementary school‐aged children in St. Louis and St. Charles for over forty years, having served the Benton Elementary community for thirty‐two years until her retirement in 1979.

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She is a life member of the Lincoln University Alumni Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a member of the American Association of University Women. She served as a Red Cross Volunteer for more than twenty years, having worked during relief efforts of six local floods. She was the recipient of the American Red Cross Clara Barton Award. Mrs. Washington worships at St. John AME Church in St. Charles where she serves her congregation as a Deaconess. 

Frances Washington was married for 65 years to her late husband, Melvin A. Washington, who served as high school math teacher at SCHS, assistant principal and principal at Hardin Middle School, principal at Jefferson Middle School, interim superintendent, and member of the City of St. Charles School District Board of Education. In honor of his hard work and service to the students and staff in our community, ‘B’ Building at St. Charles High School was named for Mr. Washington. Prior to his employment with the District, he served as teacher, basketball coach, and principal at Franklin School, a school for African American children who lived in the St. Charles area and surrounding communities (Augusta, Troy, Warrenton, Wentzville, and Wright City). Mr. Washington remained active in the community, the school district, the Optimist Club, Franklin High School Reunion Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., until his death in February 2005. Frances and Melvin have one daughter, Melva Washington Copes, a former teacher in the City of St. Charles School District, two grandsons, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.