Deacon Andrew J. Williams, Sr.

Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Cathay Street, with the funeral commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Thomas J. London will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Andrew Jackson Williams, Sr., age 95 years, the patriarch of our family, closed his eyes and went from labor to reward on Thursday, May 10, 2012 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family caregivers at his residence when he made his transition. Andrew was born in Round Lake, MS on October 4, 1916 to the union of the late Virginia and Judge Williams. He later moved to Deeson, MS where he was raised by Georgia Williams, the only mother he knew. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Armstead Chapel in Friars Point, MS where he met his childhood sweetheart, Pearline Walker. He married Pearline on December 23, 1937. She was the love of his life. To this union of marriage was born six children. He came to Saginaw seeking employment to support and provide for his family and was hired by General Motors Chevrolet Grey Iron Foundry. He then moved his family to Saginaw. He retired from General Motors in 1981. Prior to establishing his residence in Saginaw, Andrew was a farmer and sharecropper working in the cotton fields of Clarksdale, MS. While providing for his family there, he organized area sharecroppers to boycott the General Store for changes to the way they were paid by landowners. His direct but respectful appeal and negotiation with landowners resulted in workers being paid in cash so they spend their money in town with black businesses and other storekeepers in the area instead of at the owners General Store. Andrew Williams joined Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in 1947 and became a deacon under the leadership of Pastor Gabriel J. Moore. Over the years, Deacon Williams served in many leadership capacities at Tabernacle including preparing and execution of the building fund plan to build the current building and retire and burn its mortgage. He was a founding member of the Tabernacle Men of Intergity, member of the National Baptist Laymen’s Movement, and the first deacon to serve with the churches Faith Partners. He served as the lead deacon to the churches mothers’ board, ushers board, nurses guild, and choir. He was on the search committee for the churches current pastor. Even after retirement from his GM employment, Deacon Williams was a reliable driver for transporting the youth and elderly to church outings and programs near and far, and was faithful in taking communion to the sick and shut-ins. He loved preachers, good preaching, and singing the call and response spiritual hymns of Dr. Watts. He was a role model for young deacons McArthur Whitfield and Doug Carter, teaching them church leadership skills and how to sing the songs of Dr. Watts. He was often asked to give the response at church programs where he would end his presentation by delivering one of his favorite poems, "Heaven’s Grocery Store" or "As the World Turns". Although he lived in Saginaw, he traveled to the Friars Point‘s Annual Lakeside Baptism held the 2nd Sunday in August to lead the prayer before each baptistm for his home church Armstead Chapel. He started working at Browne’s Mortuary in 1969 and was a dedicated worker until his health declined. Working with the founder and proprietor Mr. Harry Browne was always joy filled with sorrow. He considered it an honor to work for such a respected a black man whose business was to assist families with caring final arrangements for their loved ones, and help comfort them in this time of need. Daddy loved working there. The Browne’s Mortuary family became Daddy’s extended family. During the years when Saginaw was designated a Model City, Andrew would attend community meetings and work on committees to bring about change to improve his neighborhood and community. He was a tireless servant of God, a devoted husband, father and family man, grandfather, brother, and friend, and respectful gentleman in the community; sharing his wisdom of life with those who asked for and would listen to it. Andrew Williams is believed to be the oldest deacon in Saginaw. To cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his children, Andrew (Virgie) Williams, Johnny (Penny) Williams, Joyce Williams (Gregory) Harvin, Larry Williams and Linda Cookey Williams of Saginaw. Margaret Williams Euell, his oldest daughter is deceased. His dedication to family included raising Margaret’s five children, Fayleta Williams, June, Sharlae, and Chondra Euell, all of Saginaw, and the late Chaka Euell. He also leaves 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren; Godchildren, Alonzo Betts, Karen Betts, Wilmer McZee, Cheryl Moore, all of Saginaw and Kim Gibson of Plano, TX; sisters, Ardelia Pitt, Lillie B. Hall, Bobbie J. Williams, Alberta Haslett, all of Chicago, Ill; Daisy Hooper, Helena, AK, Elsie Edwards, Little Rock, AK; brothers, Judge (Lurlean) Williams, Jr., James Williams of St. Louis, MO and Ben Williams of Chicago, IL. All of the girls in the family were his favorites. The list stretches from Mississippi to Michigan and includes Augustine Lee, Viola Harris, Vanessa Pondexter of Chicago, Ill, Queen Esther Martin Farmer, Detroit, MI, Agatha Trancy and Yvette Edwards of Little Rock, AK, Carol Martin, Nikki Parshell, Elisa and Eyonda Martin of Friars Point, MS, Thelma Kelly and Barbara Jean Hill of Saginaw; a long list of nieces, nephews and close family friends, including special friends and very important people, Ora D. Browne, the staff of Lawrence E. Moon and Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home, Mrs. Pecolia Thompson, the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Family and Rev. & Mrs. T.J. London. Andrew Jackson Williams, Sr, our daddy, our deacon, our friend, is missed already. We love and have many cherished memories of him to share with generations to come. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pearline Williams; his daughter, Margaret Euell; grandsons Chaka Euell and Richard Williams; sisters, Ernestine Moten, Annie Mae Evans and Lillian Gulley; brother, Roly Williams; dear sister-in-law, Estelle Harris; and brothers-in-law, Tommie and Richard Walker.

Deacon Andrew J. Williams, Sr.

October 4, 1916 - May 10, 2012