Washington named Haywood County Parade Grand Marshal

BROWNSVILLE TN (November 18, 2024): The Haywood County Emergency Management Agency has announced Louis Washington as its Grand Marshal for the 2024 Haywood County-Brownsville Christmas Parade. Washington will be honored at 5 pm, Saturday, December 7, on the parade grandstand in front of the Courthouse where he will light the community Christmas Tree and lead the annual Christmas Parade. 

“It’s a true honor and blessing to be the Grand Marshal of the parade,” says Washington, “Brownsville has been my home now for 30 years.”

Washington was born in Marietta, Georgia, and before pursuing a career in law enforcement, he worked for the AFL-CIO as a union organizer and spent more than 18 years traveling the US and Canada. 

His law enforcement career began with the Cherokee County, GA, Sheriff’s Office in Canton, Ga., where he was the first African American Deputy Sheriff for that county serving under Sheriff James E. Ballard. He received many recognitions there such as Cherokee Clean Commission, 1991, for service above and beyond the call of duty; Canton Optimist Club, 1994, for countless hours of devoted service to the citizens of Cherokee County; and Dixie Speedway and the Swims Family, 1994, in appreciation for outstanding service and loyalty.

Sheriff Roger Garrison presented Washington with accolades in 1994 upon his retirement and commemorated him for his loyal and dedicated service to the citizens of Cherokee County and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. He was honored there once more in 2017 with a Legion of Merit medal for his service and trailblazing legacy as the first African American deputy. 

After his retirement, Washington and his wife, the late Ella Mary Washington, moved to Brownsville, TN, to be near their daughter Gail Wade, son-in-law Travis and granddaughters.

Here he began his second career in law enforcement, serving as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriffs’ Raymond Russell, Melvin Bond and Billy Garrett Jr. He also served as a reserve officer for the Brownsville Police Department and as Courtroom security at the Allen King Justice Center. 

Washington, age 90, retired again in 2019 after serving more than 30 years in law enforcement. His accolades in Brownsville include a commendation from Sheriff Melvin Bond in 2005 for loyalty and dedicated service. The Tennessee Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts awarded Washington in 2008 for successfully completing 12 post credit hours of training in courtroom and courthouse security. When he retired he was still working five days a week as a security officer for the Justice Center.

He served under the leadership of three sheriffs’ during each of  his law enforcement careers and is well-remembered for his commanding presence, calm demeanor and fairness to all. 

When Washington leads the Christmas Parade December 7, he will be 96 years young. He says he enjoys being retired but stays busy working in the yard where he still cuts his own grass, cooks all his meals and enjoys traveling to visit his granddaughters and great-grandchildren. 

“My mind and hands are always open to help and support citizens and those in need in my community. I aspire for the less fortunate to have a decent life and some measure of dignity and consideration.”

Louis Washington is the proud father of Gail Wade and father-in-law of the late Travis Wade, Jr. His devoted granddaughters are Tameka Wade Lucas (Leonard III), Tiffany Wade and Trista Wade; great grandchildren, Landon and Lanah Lucas. Louis was happily married to his late wife Ella Mary Washington for 64 years. 

For more information about the Haywood County-Brownsville Christmas Parade, please contact the local Emergency Management office at 731-779-3457.  The annual parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Community Christmas Tree lighting is at 5 pm on the courthouse lawn and parade will begin at 6 pm.

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