Rosia Williams (Lansing)

Ms. Rosia Lee Murray Williams transitioned on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Flint, Michigan. Rosia was born on January 31, 1936, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Wash and Classie Murray. She was the ninth of thirteen children

Rose (as she was affectionally called) attended and graduated from Georgia Washington High School in Montgomery. Alabama. She was united in holy matrimony to James “Polly” Clark Williams, II. Out of that union three children were born: Alfenia, James III, and Rosia Marie.

Rose moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and worked at Kellogg Cereal Company and Nabisco Cookie Company. She later moved to Lansing, Michigan to work at General Motors, where she later retired after 30 years.

She was an incredibly determined person who went after what she wanted. When Rose first applied to General Motors, she was told that she was too “skinny” to work there and to come back when she had gained some weight. Determined to start working, Rose drank gallons of milk and taped rolls of coins to her body and went back to re-apply. They were impressed by her “effort” to gain weight and hired her.

Rose’s home was filled with love by so many people over the years. Family and friends of all ages enjoyed talking with Rose because of her straightforwardness and loving honesty. There were many celebrations where she was known to “cut a rug” to a Teddy Pendergrass song or two. When she and her sisters would get together you could hear their infamous laughter, or what we know as the Murray “cackle”. Most of us have had the privilege of being around during the holidays or on a Sunday where Rose would be in the kitchen cooking a few of the things that we all loved her for, like her fried corn and sweet potato pies. We would love to be around to hear her say 12 or 22, or one of her infamous “raps”.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter, Alfenia Williams; son, James Clark, III; grandchildren, Rasheka (Levoy Wilson) Christian, Jarisia (Maurice) Latham; Gayla (Thomas) Brown, Reginald Christian, Jr., Yolanda (Alfuance) Acosta-Wiseman, Shanon Williams, Raina (Andre) Alston, James Clark Williams, IV, Jamie Thomas, Faith Givens, Joshua Williams, Jamison Givens, Jerrica Williams, Jazmyn Williams, and Justyn Williams; 20 plus great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Heyward Willimas; sister-in-law, Jessie Murray; “adopted” son, Al Woods; and many others including nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rose was preceded in death by her daughter, Rosia Marie Christian; father, Washington Murray, Sr; mother, Classie Murray; sisters, Dora I. Murray, Mary Murray Turner, Clarise Murray Turner, Marlene Williams, Tommie Lou Thompson; Lillie Wells, Marjorie Lawson, Janie Noble; brothers, Julius Murray, Sr., Washington Murray, Jr., James Murray, and Reverend Samuel Murrary; brother-in-love Willie James Thompson; and great-grandson, Taijion Gant.