Dorothy Williams

Dorothy “Ann” Williams was born September 4, 1955 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi to James and Viola Williams. She was the eldest of seven children. Dorothy was raised in Chicago, Illinois from the age of two and eventually graduated from Lindblom High School in Chicago, Illinois as Valedictorian, the result of being a straight “A” student. Dorothy dedicated herself to Jehovah and symbolized her dedication by water baptism on October 12, 1968. After the birth of her daughter and son, Dorothy began working at United Airlines where she was able to indulge in her love of traveling the world. Together, the three of them would take weekend trips to the San Diego Zoo, Denver Zoo, Sea World in Orlando, Disneyworld, Disneyland, and anywhere they felt like going, even if it were just walking down Michigan Avenue and enjoying Garrett's Popcorn. After one trip they almost missed the flight home because they had to run through the airport trying to ship home a "snow-globe" that she had just bought at Sea World the day before. We weren't aware that you couldn't take those on the plane unless it's in your checked luggage. She wasn't leaving her souvenir though and fortunately we made the flight in time. Dorothy was an English major and also an excellent speller and she reminded us of that daily. Thanks to her we were able to take the words "ain't" and "naw" out of our vocabulary. Dorothy was the only grandmother we knew that never turned down an opportunity to babysit her grandchildren. She'd even ask for them to stay longer. Dot's favorite line when her granddaughter Koko asked her mom for something was "Get it for the baby", and those words were etched in stone in her opinion. She never wanted her grand babies to want for anything and whatever she could do, she did for them. As a child her daughter loved to wear moms jewelry and stayed in her perfume. And as much as she wanted a granddaughter, Kourtney developed that same love of jewelry and perfume. She always wanted to smell good like her nana. Her favorite career began after she recovered from a brain aneurism. After recovering, she immediately began regular pioneering in 1992 where she averaged over 70 hours a month preaching about the good news of God's Kingdom right up until the day she died. Although she was constantly bedridden, in and out of hospitals and enduring multiple surgeries, Dorothy always made the effort to attend her meetings and if not able to physically go to the meetings, she would listen in on the phone. She attended every Assembly and Convention, making sure her sister Monica pushed her around until lunch break was over so she could speak to every single person she knew. Even with her hands and wrists swollen and painful, she would still make sure she took notes. Family and friends remember Dorothy as a bright and beautiful person who loved life and lived it to the full. She had a big smile and an even bigger laugh. She loved to dance, skate and listen to music. Most of all, she loved being around people no matter how bad she felt and was always the life of the party. Although she wasn’t blessed with the best voice in the world, she would still sing as if she did. She sang all the time and would sing and dance at the drop of a hat with all her heart. She performed her favorite song “Home” at the very first William’s family reunion, which she along with her cousin help to plan. On Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2:30 p.m., surrounded by her family, Dorothy took her last breath as she fell peacefully asleep in death. Dorothy wholeheartedly believed in the resurrection. She was confident that she would one day soon sing, dance, run, jump and rejoice with a healthy body and two strong legs when she is resurrected in Paradise along with her father, James Williams and nephew, Shavail Williams, who preceded her in death. They along with a host of family and friends who remained faithful in their service to Jehovah until the day they died. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory, her loving mother, Viola Williams Stampley; her daughter, Kwahjalyn Jehdeiah Viola Jamese Brown (Erwin Brown); her son, Irving Carlos Redell Daniels; her brothers, Raymond Williams (Robbie Williams) and James Williams (Ruby Williams); her sisters, Debbie Sanders (Tedra Sanders), Monica R. Lockhart (Marlon Lockhart), Dionne L. Barthwell (Ronnell Barthwell) and Keewandas B. Dent (Andre’ Dent); her grandchildren, Kendall Day, Kourtney Day, Irving Jabari Daniels, Erwin Redell Daniels, Delilah Rose Daniels and Dorothy Mila Violette Daniels; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, other family members and friends.

Tributes

Dorothy Williams

September 4, 1955 - November 29, 2015