Annie L. Williams

Mother Annie DeLois “Lois” Williams was born October 12, 1933 to the union of Dave & Lena Brown in Thomaston, Alabama, but after the death of her father, God blessed her with another father who raised and loved her dearly, Rev. Minge Eaton who preceded her in death. She furthered her education at Marengo County Training School.

Annie confessed Christ at an early age, and joined the Cedar Grove Baptist Church, in Faunsdale, Alabama, under the leadership of the late Pastor Henry McCaskill. Annie worked as a short order cook at Jackson’s BBQ, and GK’s restaurant on Fort St. in Detroit.

Annie’s favorite hobbies were gardening, crossword puzzles, traveling, canning, and cooking. She was affectionately known as a “world class cook!” Her good down home cooking warmed many hearts. She was especially known for her cakes, pies, and cobblers. Her homemade hog head cheese was especially a winner; not to mention her famous chicken & dumplings, and her smokin’ homemade rolls. To know her, was to love her. She had a great spirit, and a great big heart.

In the later years, Annie moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she joined The Philippian Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Lee Martin, and in the early sixties, Annie joined The Holy Cross Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late & great Rev. James H. Porter where she worked with the Helping Hands Ministry, the Liquidating Club, and the Deaconess Board. Annie also was a part of the Order of the Eastern Stars in the early seventies. In 1986, her late husband, Rev. Archie Williams, was called to pastor, and she was a devoted first lady to the Greater Puritan Missionary Baptist Church congregation. She served in that capacity until her husband’s health failed. After their tenure of pasturage was over, she returned to her home church where she continued working out her own soul salvation until the Lord called her home.

Annie Williams was a devoted wife, and mother. She not only was a proud and loving mother to her children, but she took great pride in assisting so many others with raising their children. Mother Annie Williams was loved, and admired by all that knew her. Annie was a humanitarian to heart too. She was always providing donations to the American Disabled Veterans Association, The Breast Cancer Society, and our City’s Police and Fireman’s Fund for slain workers. She had a kind, and sweet gentle spirit that will live on in our hearts forever. She will be truly missed but never forgotten, and her memories will help us live on.

Mother Williams departed this life on March 16, 2015 after a very long illness. She leaves to cherish her memories, 7 children: Matilda Eaton(Robert), Malinda Gross, James Belle, Michico James, Johnny Woods(Vanessa), Charles Williams(Angela), Alphonso Williams(Manuela), and Annette Williams who preceded her in death. Annie was the step-mother to Joseph Williams(Mae), Curtis Williams(Laura who preceded her in death), and Archie Lee, who preceded her in death(Shirley). 1 brother: Dave Brown, who preceded her in death(Sadie). 2 brother-in-laws: Johnny & Willie Williams, both preceded her in death. 1 sister-in-law: Lucille Register, who preceded her in death(Ozell Sr.) 3 son-in-laws: Charles James, Gene Gross, and Benjamin Eaton Sr. 1 daughter-in-law: Mary Belle. 12 grandchildren: Demetra Ollison(Alfred), Benjamin Eaton Jr., Tameca Baccus(Shelby), James Belle Jr., Tiyesha Belle, Tamoni Harrison, Annessa Clark(Kevin), Karessa James, Ashley Williams, Marchell Hall, Raphael Williams, and Franziska Annie-Kim Williams. 18 great-grandchildren, 1 preceded her in death (Talajiah Faith James.)
3 special cousins: Queen Esther Chestang (John, who preceded her in death), Earl Raby(Marilyn, who preceded her in death), and Edgar(Rosa Rencher, who preceded her in death.)

Mother Williams also had many surrogate sons, and daughters. Too many to name however, she loved them all dearly. Special mention of her German family: Rainer & Kim, Nicole & Stefan, Sebastian, and a host of great-great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.


Public Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27th from 9am - 9pm at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals - Northwest Chapel, 16100 Schaefer Hwy. Detroit, MI 48235.