Washington "Sarge" Capers, Sr.

Washington Capers, Sr. was the eldest of seven children born to Rev. Willie Charles Capers and Beretha Biddle Capers on April 3, 1929.  Born in Hatchechubbee, Alabama, he and his family moved to Columbus, Georgia when he was a young boy.  Washington attended the 23rd Street Elementary School in Columbus and proudly received his high school equivalency certificate in February of 1956, later attending Louisiana State University for two years, where he received a certificate in leadership development.  Washington accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child and was baptized at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Hatchechubbee.  He always enjoyed reading and studying his Bible, with his favorite book of the Bible being the Book of Genesis.

After his mother's untimely death in February of 1941, when he was just eleven years old, he felt a great responsibility for his six younger siblings, always trying to do his best by them.  At the age of thirteen, he worked as a porter at Ann's Cafe in Columbus before securing a job in 1945 as a Venetian blind assembler for Home Modernization Service, where he worked until his enlistment in the US Army on December 15, 1950 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Washington married Ada Bell King on July 21, 1952 in Phenix City, Alabama and seven children were born to their union.   Washington's military home base was Fort Benning, Georgia and 1114-16th Avenue in Phenix City, Alabama was considered home to the Capers family for many years.  During his long career, his service took him to Germany, Viet Nam, Korea and Australia as well as too many other military bases in the United States.  The family traveled to Germany with Washington during his assignment in the late 1950's and again in the early 1960's.  He received numerous awards, medals, commendations and letters of appreciation.  Washington retired from the US Army in 1975, after twenty-five years of dedicated service to our Country.

Washington, always a hard worker, was very skilled in carpentry and upholstery.  In the late 1960's – early 1970's, he and a friend, Sergeant Upshaw, started a small business called CapeShaw Upholstery.  He also designed and built a number of houses in the Phenix City area as well as owned and operated a car lot and auto repair shop in Columbus.  Washington loved dogs (and dog races!) and was especially fond of a longtime companion, Puppyrut.  He lived at 1220 – 8th Street in Phenix City for many years and then at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Washington, Jr., and Glory.  After his health and mobility was more challenged, Washington resided at a number of assisted living facilities in the Columbus and Phenix City area.  He enjoyed visits with family and while health permitted, looked forward to his trips to Buffalo, NY.

In the early morning of January 21, 2016, while resting peacefully in God's grace, Washington quietly transitioned from this life to glory at Columbus Hospice in Columbus, Georgia.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie C. and Beretha Capers; wife, Ada B. King Capers; sister, Ethel M. Robinson and daughter, Reatha Capers Burge.

Washington is survived by four sisters, Lillie M. Hightower of Columbus, Ga., Willie M. Terrell of Spokane, WA, Corella Capers of Jonesboro, Ga., and Irene Ligon, of Decatur, Ga.; a brother, Earkles Capers of Jamaica Queens, NY; one aunt, Claudia Biddle Wright of Saginaw, MI; one sister-in-law, Ruby King Jakes (Lithonia, GA); three daughters, Colyne (John) Walton of Buffalo, NY, Sandra (Harold) Marshall of Lilburn, Ga., Linda (Thomas) Wheeler of Williamsville, NY; three sons, Washington, Jr., (Glory) Capers of Phenix City, AL, Julien (Calvinetta) Capers of Montgomery, AL and Lorenzo (Felicia) Capers of San Antonia, TX; ten grandchildren:  Kesha (Steven) Glover, Jarvis (Meghan) Capers, Chanel Marshall, Thomas Wheeler, Jr., Jillian Capers, Brittany Capers Hawkins, Adaia M. Wheeler, Jessica Capers, Christopher Hawkins and Bethany Walton; five great grandchildren:  Janae and Justin Glover, Addison, Mason and Alexis Capers; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be 12:30pm EST Friday, January 29, 2016 at Vance Memorial Chapel, Phenix City, AL with the Rev. Muriel Pitts officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 12:30 and the burial will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will gather for repass at Courts of Praise Worship Center, 150 Lee Road 456, Phenix City, AL 36867 after the burial.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

                                                                     Psalm 23:6