Shelia Diane Spivey-Washington

Shelia Diane Spivey-Washington was born in Newark, Ohio on April 6th, 1952 to Hazel Johnson and the late David Hill. As a young girl, Shelia aspired to be a school teacher. She attended and graduated from Newark High School. Shelia was reared by her mother, Hazel Spivey-Johnson, her late grandmother, Ruth Spivey Muddy (John Lee) and her step-father, the late Jeff Johnson. After high school Shelia helped run her familys garbage disposal business, often collecting payments and managing the financial books. You rarely caught her without her purse or heels. She was a class-act! During this time, Shelia also met and married the love of her life, Frederick Washington, in December of 1973. Soon after, she dedicated her life to Islam. Together they started two successful businesses, Red Giant and Tip-Top and lived in Washington D.C, Detroit and Cleveland, eventually landing in Chicago. Together they raised three beautiful children. Shelia was very active in the lives of her children and their schooling. She was the President of the Parent & Teachers Association at Carroll-Rosenwald Schools in Chicago for over 10 years which earned her numerous awards and recognition for dedication. Shelia went on to become a teacher for the same schools and, over the next 20 years, until she retired in September 2010, dedicated her time to teaching children and eventually their children; sometimes reaching three generations. She was well respected and loved by everyone who met her. She always received accolades from the school, students and parents for all of her outstanding achievements and hard work. She was a household name! She was a second Mom and sometimes the only Mom to some students, providing them with clean clothes, book bags, schools supplies, etc. She was selfless! After retiring, Shelia enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, writing, watching her soap operas and pure relaxation. Shelia passed on Monday, October 19, 2015 from a heart ailment. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Hazel Spivey-Johnson; her husband of 43 years, Fred Sr.; her children, Angelo Chuck (Mindy), Fred Jr. and Shelia Junia (Robey); siblings David Spivey Ricky (Darlene), Debbie, Mark and Jackie Hill; one very special uncle, Mark Spivey, who was more like a little brother to her; little cousins, Lavelle, Tanadra, and Taleigha; nieces, Rubynickole and Angela; grandchildren, Savannah, Kaylin (Chris), Atavicka, Keishaun, Aaliyah, Cordell, Kahlil, Kailee, Journey, Dejanae and Bernard Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Caden and Adrian; and a host of other very special relatives and friends.She was preceded in death by her father, David Hill; her brother, Gerald Jones (Carolyn); her very special nephew, Garland Spivey; and granddaughter, Kadaija Spivey. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street, Newark.