Family of educators hit twice by tragedy
Accident claims a second daughter 16 years after first
Provided
Nykia Jate Washington, who died after a car crash this week was a full-time student who wanted to follow a family tradition of teaching.
Nykia Jate Washington had hoped to become a teacher, a career path that so many of her family members had followed.
Her mother is a teacher at Wilmot J. Fraser Elementary School in downtown Charleston, her brother, a middle school principal in Manning. Her grandmother taught school in New York City, a great aunt in Georgia.
The 30-year-old had returned to school full time at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg to get a teaching degree. She had expected to graduate in May. At the same time, she had been working at an assisted-living facility in Summerville.
Washington called her mother, Johngra Brown, on Monday to tell her grades: three As and a B.
"I told her I was proud of her, to drive carefully and get some rest," Brown remembered saying.
That was their last conversation.
Brown received a call the following afternoon about her daughter being in an accident. About 4:15 p.m., as Washington was returning home to Summerville from school, her car went off the side of Interstate 26 and hit a tree near the Orangeburg County line. Later that night, she died at Medical University Hospital.
Her mother thinks she was tired.
"We believe that she was probably overworked, possibly fell asleep," she said.
The funeral service was scheduled for noon today at Union Baptist Church in North Charleston.
It was the second time one of Brown's children had died in an auto accident.
Her older daughter, Nile Cook, finished St. John's High School in 1992. She was 18 and planning to head to Voorhees College.
On a rainy June day shortly after graduation, she was driving around running errands when she hit a slick spot on Main Road near the Johns Island high school, hydroplaned, and hit another car.
Washington, 14 at the time, also was in the car and was hospitalized.
Ferryfield Baptist Church on Johns Island set up a scholarship fund for the older daughter. Now, Washington's classmates from the St. John's graduating class of 1996 are setting up a scholarship in her name.
Washington leaves behind her husband, Nathaniel Washington, and three stepchildren.
Brown has two surviving children: Kelvin Lemon, the middle school principal, and 10-year-old Breonna.
Now Brown and her husband, the Rev. Clifford Brown, a pastor at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Pineville, are coping with a second loss. Speaking from her West Ashley home on Friday, Brown said faith would pull her through.
"I still want to see Jesus and I will have to depend on him," she said. "I've been here before and God brought us through the first time. And there's no doubt in my mind that he'll bring us through this time."
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
chema012000 (anonymous) says...
Cracker_ -- you have a serious problem. Losing a loved one, no matter how they died, is no joking matter. Either 1) you have never lost a love one in your lifetime -- well one that you cared about or 2) you are NOT loved by anyone or 3) you have NEVER been loved by anyone. And guess what, it my gut feeling that all three applies to you. And by the comment you made, you're a sad case.
November 1, 2008 at 2:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ckmiddleton (anonymous) says...
I say to the family, keep your heads up because God is always watching over you. He won't put any more on you than you can bare. Know that your daughter is in a safe place in Heaven and don't ever forget that. Know that God has picked a special flower. May God be with you all.
As for Mr. Cracker Jack1 you are exactly what you are. How dare you be so heartless and cold. You obviously are in such a sad situation to ever think that anyone could possibly love you. Even the most perfect person have good and bad days, you just have a bad life all the way around. I pray for you, because it seems to me that you are from a different breed of love, respect,and kindness. I hope one day you find out who God is for yourself and just maybe, just maybe he will forgive you, because you are just plain STUPID!!
November 1, 2008 at 3:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
statusquo (anonymous) says...
My condolences to this family. Great people with a legacy of public service. God Bless you, I couldn't even imagine the pain your family is suffering through.
Please ignore the rhetoric of the first blogger he enjoys even negative attention. To write a comment like that is indicative of his upbringing and level of civility.
November 1, 2008 at 4:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhoCares (anonymous) says...
Four children with four different last names??? WOW!
November 1, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kontact (anonymous) says...
Condolences to the family.
Cracker AND Whocares--The reason I didnt suggest removal for such insensitive comments that this family may read by yall idiots is that people still need to see for themselves the IGNORANCE that are posted on P&C by people with alterior motives (racial normally).
November 1, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
condolences to the family.
Sounds like this young lady had her act together and was heading for good things in her life. Tragic once but twice in one family, how do you cope?
CJ and WC there's a time and place to discuss those issues but this day isn't it. I should have "suggested removal".
November 1, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
clc13 (anonymous) says...
WC - Nykia probably has a different last name because she got married. The article does not mention Breonna's last name.
November 1, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
My condolences to the family. cracker, whocares - I really want something bad to happen to you, but I would not wish it on your family. Karma, ya think?
November 1, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trux4u (anonymous) says...
Do any of u rally think the familiy cares about your opinions in the least if so u think very highly of your self There is only a few of u morons that actualy read these comments on a regular basis suggested removal this is a free forum last i seen every opinion stated here not profanly is allowed
November 1, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ignorance_is_bliss (anonymous) says...
As a friend and classmate of Nykia, It just goes to show that even when a person who did not know you feel they can judge you. To cracker obviously your name speaks for itself. This goes to show that some of you not all are really ignorant. This girl lost her life and all you could say was she should have learned how to drive. You must have not learned anything in school if you even went to school at all. You really sound like you are young and out of touch with reality. Stop living in a fantasy world and join us in an adult conversation for once in your miserable life. Obviously you do not fear GOD, because sometimes dumb comments as the one you made have a way of turning around on you or members of your family. Karma is a b*itch. To whocares are you and cracker related? If you knew them, which you don't, her family is a blended family. Next time before you comment get the correct information then respond. People lets stop being ignorant and teach our children better, obviously then some of you were taught. Let the future be the future and the past stay in the past.
November 1, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...
Must everything turn into a race topic.So serial just cause she's black the story should not have been written about her.Some of you truly need to get a life.R.I.P Nykia
November 1, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ignorance_is_bliss (anonymous) says...
First of all Cracker, this young lady was working and getting her education. That is more than I can say about you. Your parents taught you nothing. You would not say that to one of us to our face. You are a coward who sits behind your computer because you are not brave enough to face us that way. That is what's wrong with people like you. You would think that someone like yourself would have more respect for your people. You are just showing them how stupid you really are. I feel sorry for you. Just because you are worthless, you like to bring other people down with you. Grow up and be a man and stop behaving like a little child who does not know any better. You sound like you are one of those people with little education and a job making minimum wage. You are pathetic, worthless, and this is the only action you are getting is by me commenting on your stupidity. Hell is open and you just placed your name on a spot.
November 1, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stminson (anonymous) says...
Well Cracker, I can tell that you are very ignorant, self righteous, SOB:.
There are a lot of people just like your username states but you know what it is.
Nykia was and will always be a very beautiful person, along with being a very, very close friend of mind for many years. Her family does not deserve the disrespect that you are posting. I can't reteach you or others how you have a heart. God took her from our lives for a reason and to have ignorant people like you trying to tear down Kia, is not worth my time or anyone else's but GOD has the final word. This is why we need change in our world.
It is very sad that racism is hard in today's society, Nykia or her family always overlooked the ignorance in which you spreading. And on behave of one of my close friends and her family, "MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL".
Kia was and will always be in our hearts, what happened was hard on us. My prayers will always be with her family. I know Kia is looking down on us and probably laughing at "CRACKER_JACK'S"comments, because she had a bigger heart than what you will ever have. Life is short but I will pray for a person like you because obviously you have no heart and no life.
November 1, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moultriep2 (anonymous) says...
I have never been so disappointed with certain individuals and their comments they have managed to turn a familiy tragedy into a faceless and heartless event. I ask you who do you think you are!?! I remind you that death has no limit. It does not discriminate! I can only offer you forgiveness for the vile and inconspicuous words that you have uttered. Now I am certain that the individuals that made those comments did not understand any if not all of the three to five syllable words that I used. So I suggest that those individuals pick up a dictionary and look up those words because only ignorant people say such things!
November 1, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
serialmooner, last month PnC did a story about a white family that lost two family members to car accidents in the same area about 10 or 15 years apart. So, your theory that "no special stories about good hard working white families losing mothers and father" is off based.
November 1, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kontact (anonymous) says...
Cracker jack--I was just going over your racist rant with my coworkers. I have decided that enough is enough. I would love to meet with you and discuss your feelings about blacks. I am located on Highway 17 in west ashley right now. We could meet in a public place if you dont feel comfortable. We could even meet at the police substation on wappoo road if you'd like. How about email me personally so we could set something up. Whenever you'd like I would be avaiabe. I think that would be an appropiate time for you to discuss your feeling and not here where people are trying to pay their respect. OHH I am serious too, You feeble minded bird brain. Its people like you that cause god-fearing folks to have racial prejudices. Ignorant Bastard!! Even f you hate blacks this is not the place to vent your feelings. This family just lost a loved one.
November 1, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Kontac - I second that. crackermonkey - let's meet in Mt P. near the foot of the bridge or email me so we can set something up.
November 1, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
My condolences go out to the family. How terrible to have to go through all that this family has been through. Keep the strength and rely on your family and faith. God Bless you all.
November 1, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
CrackerJack - I really hope P&C bans you from thier site completely. I'm glad that I didn't see any of your comments that was posted - you ignorant azz hole!
To the family of the deceased - keep your head up during this difficult time. May God keep you during this difficult time.
November 1, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shawn002031 (anonymous) says...
i think that this cracker jack moron is taking away attention from what the real issue is and that is the lost of a person, someone's child, sister, wife, friend, and all the many facets that made up Nykia or anyone. It does not matter whether they are black, white, whatever. This is a time to honor and Nykia and help her family heal. to the family of Nykia, GOD bless u and believe that HE will never forsake u.
November 2, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
diablo_tonto (anonymous) says...
Peace to the Washington and Brown families in their time of loss.
November 2, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Cracker - You are definitely a loser. Nothing better to do at 3:18 a.m. Get some sleep dude; you need it.
November 2, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shawn002031 (anonymous) says...
This is my last time saying anything to or about cracker jack, so if you are looking for another response, dont hold your breathe. You are trying your best to get an reaction, especially one with negative comments. So, your slave days comments do not offend me at all. You are so ignorant that you just assumed that I was black because I said something positive about a black person. Nevertheless, my good man, slave days are long over, cracker jack. The only slave here is you, you are a servant of Satan. I am too strong of a PERSON, made in the image of GOD to let one of satan's slaves and followers imtimadate or discourage me. I will not past judgement on you, I pray for people, such as yourself. Where you sow hate i sow love,and remember you reap what you sow, whether you believe in the Bible, karma, or nothing at all, what you put out, comes back 7 fold.Ha, you owning me is hilarious!!! This is my first time ever hearing of you. You dont even own yourself, GOD could take the breath out of your body right now if he chose to, so who owns who? Seek GOD and his wisdom and all other things shall follow. May GOD bless and soften your hardened heart. You are in my prayers also. Have a blessed day. It should stand again, without saying that this family defintely has my love, respect, and prayers.
November 2, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Magnasty (anonymous) says...
The loss of a child is devastating. The loss of two children has to be emotional crippling for at least a short time. My prayers go out to this family.
As for the ones making idiotic comments about the family and the papers decision to publish this story, they seem a bit lost in themselves and can only resort to anonymous posts on a message board to elevate their self-worth. Let them be.
November 2, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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