Eloise Williams

Rejoice! Rejoice! Reverend Elosie Butts Williams went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 4:45 A.M. surrounded by her loving family. Sister Ella Kelley was born October 19, 1919 in Montgomery, AL to the late Annie Kelley and Sam King. AT the age of three, the late Gene & Mattie Butts (her great uncle and aunt) adopted Ella Kelley and changed her name to Eloise Butts. Sister Eloise Butts accepted Christ at a young age and joined 46th Street Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Patterson. She was educated in the Birmingham Public School System. On December 21, 1941, Eloise married Bryant Williams, Sr. and was a faithful and devoted wife for seventy years. She answered the highest calling and was called into the ministry in 1970 while attending Gaines Chapel A.M. E. Church under the pastorate of Reverend Brooks. She was among the first women in ministry in the north Alabama conference. In September of 1982 she became pastor of the Saint Paul A.M.E. Church in Tuscumbia, AL where she served for eight years. Reverend Eloise Williams pastored a congregation that truly loved her and her family. The church was paid off under her administration. Many were blessed with her special recipe treats that she either cooked or baked for any family gathering, church function or just because she wanted to bless someone. Veggie soup, squash, potatoes, greens, peach cobbler, tea cakes, white icing cake and a favorite, blueberry pie were among many that were prepared with her main ingredient, love. Sister Williams was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law: Bryant and Augusta Williams. She leaves to cherish her fond memories: a loving and devoted husband, Bryant Williams, Sr.; a son, James (Lila) Williams; daughters, Eleanor Marie Tyson ( a great and devoted caregiver), Addie (James) Fields of Newbern, NC, Janice (Gregory) Collins and Juana (Tommy) Dates; grandchildren, Roderick (Marain) Morris and Eric Fields both of Wyandanch, NY, Cathy Fields, Amityville, NY, Bryonda A. Williams, Timothy (Dorotia) Williams, Danbury, CT, Thaddeus (Vinnie) Williams, Pensacola, FL, Kamela (Rick) Frieberg, Alpharetta, GA, Augusta D. Chambers, Mackary Williams, Keyon (Cynthia) Williams, Altash Williams, Vivica (Anthony) McCollough, Aquanette Tyson and Melvin (Tygianna) Williams, Gregory Collins, Jr., Kebee (Jarvis) Frederick and Bryant Williams; forty great-grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Annie Harris; special cousins, Edward & Mary Green, Ollie Bell Landrum all of Andalusia, AL, Eloise (Michael) Sullivan, Texas City, TX, Ethel Mae Warr and Delores Gomez; Godchildren, Susan Bidding, Pamela Bidding, David (Denise) Bidding; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. "Her children shall rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28