Cornelius Booker Washington of Rockford departed this earthly life Thursday, February 22, 2024. He was born in Pine Bluff, AR;  April 8, 1937 the son of Booker and Malinda Washington. He moved to Rockford from Pine Bluff as a child. Cornelius married the former Bernice Jordan in 1957. He established and owned Washington Hair Supreme in Chicago, IL for 54 years. He graduated from West High School class of 1956. Cornelius graduated from Chicago Business School and Austin Business as a Master Barber. He played in the first Black Negro Major League in Illinois; with a minor league Baseball Team the Milwaukee Braves and the Indianapolis Clown Negro Baseball Team. Cornelius was a member of God is Great Ministries in Chicago, IL.  He was a Master Mason.

Cornelius leaves to cherish many loving memories, two sons; Donald (Brenda) and Terry Washington; one daughter Tracy Washington; sister, Rosetta Jones; daughter in law, Candance Washington; sisters in law Sandra Jordan and Veronica (J.B.) Gray; brother in law, Larry Carthell; 16 grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; wife; son, Andre Washington; brother, L.C. Washington; sister, Lula Mae Triplett; brother in law, Gregory Jordan; sisters in law, Linda Carthell, Betty Washington and Shellin Williams.

Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Visitation will be held 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.