Rev. Pocahontas Y. Ashe

“...As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

 On Saturday, February 25, 2023, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Reverend Pocahontas Yvonne Ashe made her transition from this life to live an eternal life with her heavenly father. Pocahontas (Poke, Pokie, Poc) was born January 17, 1938, on the Family Farm in Martin County (Bethel, NC). She was the oldest daughter of seven children born to the late Ernest Cleveland Jones Sr. and Deacon Mary Evelyn Jones. In addition to her parents, Pocahontas was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert T. Ashe, sister, Marilyn Grace Johnson, brothers, Ernest C. Jones, Jr., Gene Autry, Milton Samuel, and Earl DeVere, Donna Thompson (stepdaughter), and Wendell L. Washington (son-in-law).

In high school Pocahontas excelled in her academics. Her best friend was Helen Cook, together they tutored youth in the community and enjoyed roller skating on the streets of Parmalee, NC. Pocahontas was the first of her family to graduate from college and two of her siblings followed her. She graduated with honors from St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. with a degree in Business Management (Secretarial Science). During her time there she met her lifelong friends Rev. Delores Lynch and Arlene Catchings. She was homecoming queen and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. After college she moved to Washington D.C. in pursuit of her career. It was there where she met the love of her life Elbert T. Ashe. Pocahontas and Elbert relocated to Suitland, MD, where they began their family. Pocahontas and Elbert were members of Turner Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Washington, D.C. before joining Hunter Memorial A.M.E. In 1976, she lost the love of her life and was widowed at the age of 38.

Pocahontas had a career as a Human Resources professional at Group Health Association (GHA), where she hired several friends and family members during her tenure there. Pocohontas developed a savvy financial and business acumen while working under her first supervisor Goldie Krantz. After decades of dedication, she retired from GHA at the age of 55. Pocahontas enjoyed her retirement years. During that time, she could be found power-walking with the mall walkers at Iverson Mall or picking out fresh vegetables at her local grocer. Because Pocahontas was raised on a farm, she believed there was no such thing as a bad banana. She would purchase ripened bananas at discount prices and enjoyed the instant gratification from their aged but natural sweetness. This speaks to who Pocahontas was, she aged with grace and enjoyed the simple elements of life. If it wasn’t ripe bananas, it was the fried bone fish from Park’s Fish…It was the simple things.

Pocahontas accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 44. She was ordained and served under the leadership of Pastors Elder George A. Manning, Rev. Dr. Michael O. Thomas, and Rev. Dr. Harold B. Hayes Jr. While at Hunter A.M.E. she started the Ms. Hunter pageant, communed the sick and shut-in, served on the intercessory prayer team, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was a member of the Grandparents of Dedication (G.O.D), served on the ministerial staff, and was on the board of Trustees. She went back to school to get a master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Maple Springs Bible College and Seminary. Rev. Ashe is most recognized for answering her calling to start and lead the Tuesday bible study for more than 20 years.

Pocahontas leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Karen Washington, Robin Ashe, Stephanie Harrington (stepdaughter), her brother Rev. Dr. Freddie L. Jones, Col. U.S Army (Ret.) (Myrtle), six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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