Anna Williams

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Definition of the name “ANNA”: A feminine name meaning favor, grace, and beauty. A beautiful name for a beautiful angel of GOD. (Hebrew Meaning)

On April 3, 2023, Anna M. Williams, a phenomenal woman of God, gained her wings and joined her heavenly family, passing away peacefully in her sleep after a fulfilling life of happiness. She filled many lives with humor, love, and her compassionate spirit of caring for others. Anyone who knew our mother knew that she was a ray of sunshine through the eyes of many. She exuberated energy, excitement, and a cathartic sense of love and happy smiles for others. Anna was well-loved and always made time for everyone. She always provided support to her friends and family. Her favorite artistic talents were the love she showed to many through her passion for baking desserts, gardening, writing poetry, journaling, scrapbooking, sewing, and entertaining a whole lot of folks in the privacy of our family homes. She had a special gift of love, compassion, and serving the sick and shut-in. She won several awards for her culinary skills through the Saginaw News, many years ago. Anna was the only family member who skillfully specialized in demonstrating her dancing expertise for doing the “James Brown, Camel Walk.” She also had a fervent love of traveling with her children and close friends.

A devoted member of Bethel AME Church since 1968, Anna served on many boards, organizations, and ministries. Amongst her favorite and devoted ministries were singing in the Chancel Choir and her inspiring mentorships with the former program the “Forget Me Nots,” youth group. She enjoyed dressing up with a sense of style and class. Anna never wanted anyone to know her true age and she would scold her children for placing her age on her annual birthday cake. As of three weeks ago, she was still making people laugh, lifting their spirits with song, dance, and serving as a gracious hostess to the staff and residents at Brookdale Memory Center where she resided over the past year and a half.

A mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, Anna was born July 28, 1931, in Headland, Alabama. She married the love of her life, George A. Williams in 1954 in Quincy, Florida. To cherish her loving memory are her daughters, Angelia Williams, Anita (Ossie) Jackson, Valerie (Steven) Davis, and Ruth Williams, daughter-in-law. Her beloved granddaughters, Stephanie and Kendyl Davis. Other grandchildren include Joao Cuevas and family, Kujay and Gabby Cuevas, and Biviana Sparks and children. Her wonderful brother, William “Sonny” and loving sister-in-law, Freddie Hodges; special nephews, Todd and Terry Hodges, Randy Lynn, Dexter Fite, and Gaylon Williams. Her goddaughters, Devona Hollis, Ebony Reeves Brown, and Tonja Brown; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends. A special longtime unconditional bond of friendship with Daisy Baber and Eudora Logan will be forever cherished. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, George, son, Keith Alexander Williams, siblings: Inez, Elizabeth, Thomas (TJ), Doug, Margaret, and Bobby, and other close relatives and special friends.

Special thanks to our mother’s caregivers Rachael Anaya and the dedicated support of the staff at Brookdale Memory Care, with special gratitude extended to Lisa Gordon and Jen Rivera. We graciously acknowledge the devoted services and loving care rendered for four years to our family by Kelly Green, RN, Shannah Hensley, Chaplain, and Alexis Parrish, her weekly personal assistant from First Hospice Care.

Our mom was truly a great woman whose impact will be forever felt by our family and friends. She was a selfless woman, admired by many, and whose passing leaves an unfillable gap in the hearts of all her loved ones. We celebrate her life with happiness, thanksgiving, the ability to forgive, and resonate love to all humanity.