Mamie Williams-Arburtha

WILLIAMS-ARBURTHA, Ms. Mamie Lenora - Age 75, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, IL. Family hour 10AM Saturday, February 2, 2008 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 2115 W. Coldwater Rd., with funeral service at 11AM. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Saturday. Ms. Williams will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday. Ms. Mamie Lenora Williams-Arburtha was born April 5, 1932, to the late Monroe and Lula Williams in Livingston, Alabama, she will be remembered as a compassionate woman of God. From humble beginnings in the rural south, Mamie set a high priority on academics and at a young age expressed a desire to serve as an educator. With the support of her family, Mamie enrolled in Alabama A&M University. While attending there she was very involved and was voted Miss Co-Ed, Miss Lampoda, Homecoming Football Sweetheart and was a finalist for Miss Alabama A & M. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 1953, Mamie accepted a teaching position in the Flint Community Schools. She was the fifth African American ever to be hired by the school system. During her 35-year career, Mamie taught pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at many schools in Flint including Fairview, Martin and Carpenter Road Elementary. She also served as Assistant Principal at Cody and Dewey schools. Mamie earned advanced degrees from the University of Michigan (M.A.) and Eastern Michigan University (M.A. Education Leadership). For her excellence in teaching, Mamie was selected as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1974. Mamie Williams lived her life as a true servant of Christ. She was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful Sunday school teacher and choir member for many years. Mamie was a loving mother to Lila Hawthorne-Petett and Oscar LaShawn (Kimberly) Hawthorne of Chicago, Illinois who mourn her passing. She will be forever remembered and loved by her grandchildren, Lauren, Brice and Elyse. Mamie was a beloved sister. She was preceded in death by siblings Viola McIntire, Monroe Williams, Maeola Buford, Willie Williams, Lucinda Bowers, Ella (George) Benefield and Adolph (Ethyl) Williams. Mamie is survived by brothers, Elijah (Julia) Williams, Thomas Williams, and Otis (Sandra) Williams; and sister, Sadie (Moses) Williams. Mamie leaves to mourn several nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends.

Mamie Williams-Arburtha

April 5, 1932 - January 27, 2008