Obituary for Alma M. Wiliams
Born Alma Marie Jennings on August 18, 1921 in Crewe, VA to Nannie and Bennie Jennings, she was the third child of thirteen. She would soon become the oldest sibling of eleven after her oldest sister and brother passed at an early age. Thus, the role of “the oldest” and her ministry of helps became engrained in Alma’s mind, heart, and spirit early in her life and remained with her until she got her wings on November 1, 2016.
Alma received her early education in the Nottoway County Schools. Her Christian education began with her elders and at the Union Baptist Church of Crewe, VA, where she joined at an early age. She began her years of hard work in the town of Crewe and at the Piedmont Hospital. Then for greater opportunities, Alma journeyed to Baltimore, MD after the start of World War II. She would live in Baltimore for over 70 years.
In Baltimore, Alma would further her education to obtain her GED and later become a cosmetologist. Because of the war, factory jobs opened up and Alma was hired at the Continental Can Company where she received many service awards and the affectionate use of her initials (A.M.). She worked at Continental Can until she retired in 1983.
Alma also met Thaddeus (Thad) Williams in Baltimore and they were joined in Holy Matrimony. To this union, their daughter, Rosalind Marie was born.
Alma did not ever forget her role as “the oldest”. The opportunities she found in Baltimore not only benefited her, but allowed her to extend her ministry of helps to family that has passed down through three generations. As Thad and Alma journeyed through life together, their home at 1833 Rutland Ave was always open to all that came to “Maryland”. Third generation family can attest to Aunt Alma’s ministry of helps recalling the packages and monetary donations sent “home” on a regular basis. Even with grown siblings, extended family, and friends, her ministry of helps was still extended, almost to a fault.
Alma formed another union when she arrived in Baltimore. She joined the Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore City under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Edmond D. Meade. She loved her church and loved her pastor. She served as a Sunday School teacher, and a faithful member of the Pastor’s Aide and Flower Circle Ministries. When Pastor Meade retired, she showed the same love and respect to Pastor H. Walden Wilson, II. Under Pastor Wilson’s leadership, Alma was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Sanctuary without Walls ministries. Even through her struggles with dementia, she continued to worship thru giving and never forgot Israel Baptist Church or her pastor, Reverend Wilson.
Alma Marie Williams love the Lord. She would read her Bible daily and prayed everyday for everybody. When dementia took her daily devotions from her, the Word was truly hidden in her heart. She knew to the end where her help came from. She would call on the name of Jesus for comfort and could recite the 23rd Psalm with her evening caretaker.
Alma was widowed in 1973. In 1993, she lost her oldest daughter, Mrs. Mary Lee Scott; her oldest grandson, Kirkwood Curtis Jennings, and her youngest grandson, Calvin Jennings, II. She was also predeceased by nine brothers, Albert, Charles, George, Horace, James, Kirkwood, Linia, Linwood and Sampson Jennings; and two sisters, Maggie Bassfield and Rachel Jennings.
Left to cherish her memories and legacy is her beloved and devoted daughter, Rosalind M. Jennings; two loving sons-in-law, Calvin Jennings and Eugene Scott; faithful brother, Lee Jennings; three sisters-in-law, Eartie B. Jennings, Lessie Jennings and Yvonne Jennings; five grandchildren, Delores (Reverend Melvin) Cooper, Patricia Jennings, Eric Newby, Russell and William Epperson; twelve great grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren. She has two daughters-in-love, Carolyn Butler and Annie Green; godson, Rodney Williams; long time friend/co-worker, Pensula Corbet; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and her Israel Baptist Church family.
Services will be held Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 12:00 noon at Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore City, 1220 N. Chester St., Baltimore, MD 21213.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Fourth Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 4222 Winningham Rd., Crewe, VA. Interment Jennings Family Cemetery, Crewe, VA.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Alma received her early education in the Nottoway County Schools. Her Christian education began with her elders and at the Union Baptist Church of Crewe, VA, where she joined at an early age. She began her years of hard work in the town of Crewe and at the Piedmont Hospital. Then for greater opportunities, Alma journeyed to Baltimore, MD after the start of World War II. She would live in Baltimore for over 70 years.
In Baltimore, Alma would further her education to obtain her GED and later become a cosmetologist. Because of the war, factory jobs opened up and Alma was hired at the Continental Can Company where she received many service awards and the affectionate use of her initials (A.M.). She worked at Continental Can until she retired in 1983.
Alma also met Thaddeus (Thad) Williams in Baltimore and they were joined in Holy Matrimony. To this union, their daughter, Rosalind Marie was born.
Alma did not ever forget her role as “the oldest”. The opportunities she found in Baltimore not only benefited her, but allowed her to extend her ministry of helps to family that has passed down through three generations. As Thad and Alma journeyed through life together, their home at 1833 Rutland Ave was always open to all that came to “Maryland”. Third generation family can attest to Aunt Alma’s ministry of helps recalling the packages and monetary donations sent “home” on a regular basis. Even with grown siblings, extended family, and friends, her ministry of helps was still extended, almost to a fault.
Alma formed another union when she arrived in Baltimore. She joined the Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore City under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Edmond D. Meade. She loved her church and loved her pastor. She served as a Sunday School teacher, and a faithful member of the Pastor’s Aide and Flower Circle Ministries. When Pastor Meade retired, she showed the same love and respect to Pastor H. Walden Wilson, II. Under Pastor Wilson’s leadership, Alma was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Sanctuary without Walls ministries. Even through her struggles with dementia, she continued to worship thru giving and never forgot Israel Baptist Church or her pastor, Reverend Wilson.
Alma Marie Williams love the Lord. She would read her Bible daily and prayed everyday for everybody. When dementia took her daily devotions from her, the Word was truly hidden in her heart. She knew to the end where her help came from. She would call on the name of Jesus for comfort and could recite the 23rd Psalm with her evening caretaker.
Alma was widowed in 1973. In 1993, she lost her oldest daughter, Mrs. Mary Lee Scott; her oldest grandson, Kirkwood Curtis Jennings, and her youngest grandson, Calvin Jennings, II. She was also predeceased by nine brothers, Albert, Charles, George, Horace, James, Kirkwood, Linia, Linwood and Sampson Jennings; and two sisters, Maggie Bassfield and Rachel Jennings.
Left to cherish her memories and legacy is her beloved and devoted daughter, Rosalind M. Jennings; two loving sons-in-law, Calvin Jennings and Eugene Scott; faithful brother, Lee Jennings; three sisters-in-law, Eartie B. Jennings, Lessie Jennings and Yvonne Jennings; five grandchildren, Delores (Reverend Melvin) Cooper, Patricia Jennings, Eric Newby, Russell and William Epperson; twelve great grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren. She has two daughters-in-love, Carolyn Butler and Annie Green; godson, Rodney Williams; long time friend/co-worker, Pensula Corbet; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and her Israel Baptist Church family.
Services will be held Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 12:00 noon at Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore City, 1220 N. Chester St., Baltimore, MD 21213.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Fourth Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 4222 Winningham Rd., Crewe, VA. Interment Jennings Family Cemetery, Crewe, VA.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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