Mother Iola Bruce-Williams

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, Godmother, First Lady and friend departed this life to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family rejoicing in the will of God. Born in Ellendale, Tennessee to the late Zealus and Olivia Bruce, she was the second oldest child of five siblings. She married Rev. Herbert J. Williams on June 17, 1950 and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. To this union was born five (5) children: 2 sets of twins, Reginald LaMont and Regina LaMethia, Herbert J., Hubert J. and Olivia Arnice. Mother Williams was the grandmother of ten (10) “Grandma’s babies” and eleven (11) great-grandchildren (Grandma’s precious babies”). Mother attended Grade School in the city of Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Northeastern High School, attended Detroit Bible College, and was certified in Sunday School Administration. She attended Highland Park Community College and attended Wayne State University. She graduated Cum Laude from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and completed the Master’s Program at Central Michigan University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She was the epitome of a pastor’s wife for 63 years. She was the 1st Lady of Greater Williams Temple (Saginaw) and Jackson Memorial Temple (Flint). She was the “Queen” of the North Central Jurisdiction of Michigan for thirty-five (35) years alongside her husband, Bishop Herbert J. Williams. Mother Williams loved to read, sew and was an excellent cook. She was an excellent homemaker. She always had a deep concern for Black families with an emphasis on parenting and relationships. Mother Williams’ church work started at the age of fourteen. Her home church was Seth Temple in Detroit, Michigan under the leadership of the late Bishop J. S. Bailey which she dearly loved and supported. She never forgot her roots of holiness. She always wanted to see the saints do their very best in whatever tasks assigned to them. She expected the best because we serve an “awesome” God. An excellent role model for all women whether in the church or not. A woman of God that was admired for her beauty, strength, integrity, honesty and godliness. She was predeceased by her parents, Zealus and Olivia Bruce; and one brother, Vernon Bruce, Rochester, New York. Mother leaves to cherish, her beloved husband of 63 years, Bishop Herbert J. Williams, Sr.; five children, Reginald LaMont (Pia), Dallas, Texas, Regina LaMethia (Stanley) Mobley, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Herbert J. (Ava), VanBuren Township, Hubert J., and Olivia Arnice, Saginaw, Michigan; two brothers, George (Archie) Bruce and Jessie James Bruce, both of Rochester, New York; one sister, Mattie Smith, Detroit, Michigan; special Godchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Burbank Scott II; special daughters, Missionary Mary Williams (Adjuntant Sister) and Mother Myrtis Williams, Flint, Michigan; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and Godchildren. Family hour will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at Greater Williams Temple C.O.G.I.C., 608 E. Remington, with the funeral commencing at 12:00 Noon. Bishop R. L. Williams, Sr. will officiate with entombment in Oakwood Memorial Mausoleum. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mother Iola Bruce-Williams

January 28, 1930 - August 27, 2013