Homegoing Celebration for Mother Louise Williams скачать в хорошем качестве

Homegoing Celebration for Mother Louise Williams

Homegoing Celebration for Louise “Dear” Williams Sunrise: September 6, 1921 Sunset: August 5, 2025 Today, we gather to celebrate and honor the remarkable life of **Louise Williams**, lovingly known by many as *“Dear”*. On August 5, 2025, at the remarkable age of 103 — just one month shy of her 104th birthday — Louise passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that spans over a century of love, resilience, and grace. Born in Fairfield, Alabama, on September 6, 1921, Louise was the youngest daughter of Molly and Tommie Greene and grew up in Birmingham alongside her sisters Daisy, Mary, and Velma. Her childhood nickname, “Sang,” came from her tendency to cry as a baby, while her beloved mother, “Big Ma,” lived to the age of 94 and instilled in her the strength, style, and determination that would define her life. In 1937, Louise married Ernest Williams, a World War II veteran and merchant seaman. Together, they built a life centered around love, family, and shared passions — Ernest for reading The New York Times and Louise for novels. Their marriage lasted 54 years until Ernest’s passing in 1991. As a mother to two daughters, LaVerne and Sharon, and later a caretaker to her granddaughters Malika and Kisha, Louise devoted her life to family. She also stepped in to help raise two of her great-grandchildren, demonstrating her deep commitment to those she loved. Louise’s life was marked by perseverance in the face of adversity. As a Black woman navigating America through the Jim Crow era, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement, she met discrimination with determination. After World War II, when job opportunities for African Americans were scarce, she persisted in securing work in factory assembly lines — even convincing Emerson, a company that did not hire Black workers at the time, to give her a chance. This led to years of work in manufacturing, including at Fisher Electronics. She later served the City of New York as a health aide, offering guidance and support to juveniles and adults in residential settings for over 15 years before retiring in 1991. Civically engaged throughout her life, Louise was a proud and active voter who never missed an election. She even worked as a poll worker on many occasions and continued to participate in the democratic process by casting absentee ballots in the 2024 and 2025 New York local elections. Outside of her work and civic involvement, Louise was an avid reader, a talented crocheter, and a skilled seamstress who often designed and sewed her own clothing. She credited her sharp mind to her love of coloring, word searches, and crossword puzzles. She often quoted Satchel Paige, the legendary Negro Baseball League pitcher from Alabama: “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” Louise was a proud and faithful member of the **First Baptist Church of Crown Heights**, founded by Rev. Clarence Norman Sr. and now pastored by Rev. Rashad Moore. She was also part of the Alabama Club and the Senior Citizens Club. Among her church family, she earned the affectionate nickname “Diva” for her impeccable style, particularly her hats and shoes. Louise is survived by her daughters, LaVerne and Sharon (Cecil); grandchildren, Malika, Kisha, Kwesi (Jessica), and Basir (Kimeka); great-grandchildren, Dexter Jr., Dominique, Zuri, Zamir, Mahalia, Nasir, and Khadijah; niece Barbara and her children, Angela, Paul, LaShawn, and Jimmy; niece Yvonne; and a host of other loving nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. She leaves behind a large and loving family who will cherish the memories, lessons, and love she gave so generously. Her departure leaves an unfillable void, but her influence and example will live on for generations. As we celebrate her life today, we are reminded of her enduring spirit and the truth of these words: “The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”* We love you, Mom. We love you, Dear. Your legacy lives on in all of us.