1976
Dariel
2021
Dariel Sharese Washington
April 30, 1976 — February 7, 2021
On February 7, 2021 our beloved Dariel Sharese Washington gained her wings and entered into Glory. Dariel Sharese DeJarnett Blackledge, the eldest of four children, was born on April 30, 1976 in Ventura, California to Dwight Blackledge and Carolyn Scott Blackledge. She enjoyed a vibrant life, filled with wonder and adventure. She loved children and viewed motherhood as her greatest accomplishment. Dariel mentored many, and her home was a virtual haven where she provided love, shelter, and great home cooked meals for her bonus children. She was the ultimate soccer mom and could be depended upon to provide rides to and from her children’s various activities, sports, and church functions. She never missed a dance recital, track meet, football game, awards ceremony, or church activity. She took pride in her faith and raising her children to follow in her spiritual footsteps.
Dariel accepted Christ during her teenage years at St. Paul Baptist Church, Oxnard, CA.
Her academic acumen afforded her the distinction of being double promoted from kindergarten to second grade. She later qualified for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) classes. Her voracious quest for knowledge qualified her for a second double promotion. Dariel was always an activist who fought hard for equality. During her junior high years, she co-founded Youth Against Racism, a group dedicated to fighting for racial equality in Ventura County and across Southern California. She was responsible for coordinating a trip for Youth Against Racism to meet Rosa Parks and Maxine Waters, which garnered national media attention.
Dariel graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in 1993. She went on to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. In 1996 she became a mother to her eldest son, Shomari White, and decided to move to Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Tennessee State University.
Dariel was blessed with two additional children, Sahara White, and Shatara White. She loved to travel and expose her children to different cultures, people, and experiences. Her church home in Tennessee was Beech Creek Missionary Church.
Her career began as a probation officer for Davidson County TN. She achieved a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a graduate certificate in Health Care Planning and Administration. She later applied and received the position of U.S. Federal Probation Officer, where she was sworn in as official officer of the court in 2009.
Her accolades include creation of the RISE Reentry Program which helps high risk offenders find employment, and integrate back into society. She volunteered at the Park Center, serving food and bringing comfort to disabled clients. Her additional humanitarian work includes:
• Habitat for Humanity
• Susan B. Komen Cancer Society
• Special Service Award and Chief Accommodation for Middle District of TN in 2010 and 2013
In 2017 Dariel joined in union with Marcus Washington, the love of her life. In 2018 Dariel was diagnosed with breast cancer which she was determined to beat. She maintained the mantra of “Dariel Strong” which she used to get her through tough times. Her fight included multiple treatments, however instead of focusing on her own situation, she served as a support advocate for multiple people who were going through the same battle. She remained vigilant and resolute to the end, while maintaining her fiery attitude that we all have come to know and love. Dariel is survived by her husband Marcus Washington (Nashville, TN) her parents, Dwight and Carolyn Blackledge (Ventura, CA), siblings Dr. Michele Blackledge (Nashville, TN), Dwight “DJ” Blackledge II (Houston, TX), and Devon Blackledge (Nashville, TN), children Shomari White, Sahara White, and Shatara White (Nashville, TN) and nephews Roman Blackledge- Harris, Dwight Blackledge III (Boogie), Cannon Blackledge, and Devon Blackledge II. Her nephews will miss her excitement for all things boys, and are honored to have been able to call her “The Best TT alive”.
DUE TO COVID-19, A FACE MASK IS REQUIRED, UPON ENTRY OF THE FUNERAL HOME, TEMPERATURES WILL BE CHECKED AND PLEASE KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE IN MIND AT ALL TIMES.
Dariel accepted Christ during her teenage years at St. Paul Baptist Church, Oxnard, CA.
Her academic acumen afforded her the distinction of being double promoted from kindergarten to second grade. She later qualified for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) classes. Her voracious quest for knowledge qualified her for a second double promotion. Dariel was always an activist who fought hard for equality. During her junior high years, she co-founded Youth Against Racism, a group dedicated to fighting for racial equality in Ventura County and across Southern California. She was responsible for coordinating a trip for Youth Against Racism to meet Rosa Parks and Maxine Waters, which garnered national media attention.
Dariel graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in 1993. She went on to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. In 1996 she became a mother to her eldest son, Shomari White, and decided to move to Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Tennessee State University.
Dariel was blessed with two additional children, Sahara White, and Shatara White. She loved to travel and expose her children to different cultures, people, and experiences. Her church home in Tennessee was Beech Creek Missionary Church.
Her career began as a probation officer for Davidson County TN. She achieved a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a graduate certificate in Health Care Planning and Administration. She later applied and received the position of U.S. Federal Probation Officer, where she was sworn in as official officer of the court in 2009.
Her accolades include creation of the RISE Reentry Program which helps high risk offenders find employment, and integrate back into society. She volunteered at the Park Center, serving food and bringing comfort to disabled clients. Her additional humanitarian work includes:
• Habitat for Humanity
• Susan B. Komen Cancer Society
• Special Service Award and Chief Accommodation for Middle District of TN in 2010 and 2013
In 2017 Dariel joined in union with Marcus Washington, the love of her life. In 2018 Dariel was diagnosed with breast cancer which she was determined to beat. She maintained the mantra of “Dariel Strong” which she used to get her through tough times. Her fight included multiple treatments, however instead of focusing on her own situation, she served as a support advocate for multiple people who were going through the same battle. She remained vigilant and resolute to the end, while maintaining her fiery attitude that we all have come to know and love. Dariel is survived by her husband Marcus Washington (Nashville, TN) her parents, Dwight and Carolyn Blackledge (Ventura, CA), siblings Dr. Michele Blackledge (Nashville, TN), Dwight “DJ” Blackledge II (Houston, TX), and Devon Blackledge (Nashville, TN), children Shomari White, Sahara White, and Shatara White (Nashville, TN) and nephews Roman Blackledge- Harris, Dwight Blackledge III (Boogie), Cannon Blackledge, and Devon Blackledge II. Her nephews will miss her excitement for all things boys, and are honored to have been able to call her “The Best TT alive”.
DUE TO COVID-19, A FACE MASK IS REQUIRED, UPON ENTRY OF THE FUNERAL HOME, TEMPERATURES WILL BE CHECKED AND PLEASE KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE IN MIND AT ALL TIMES.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dariel Sharese Washington, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Walk Through Visitation
Friday, February 12, 2021
1:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)
Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 28
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