Vera Braxton, Raymond Williams

It is with great sadness that I announce the deaths of two members of the Williams-Rivers Family. Vera Braxton and Raymond Williams, both well-loved Descendants of Mandi

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Raymond H. Williams, son of R T Williams, died on 03/01/09. Raymond was the grandson of Dennis Williams and Luella Short and great grand son of Harriet Elizabeth Rayner and great great grand son of Mandi Williams.

Here is the announcement that was published after Raymond's death:

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Raymond Harold Williams
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on Dec. 10, 1942
Departed on Mar. 1, 2009 and resided in St. Louis, MO.

Raymond Harold Williams was born on December 10, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the ninth child born to the union of R.T. and Ina Elizabeth Williams. Raymond was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools and specialized in auto mechanics, and related fields. He also dedicated his work to the Terminal Railroad for 17 years.

Raymond accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour at an early age at Cleaves Chapel C.M.E. Church, now know as Murchison Tabernacle. He was also a member of the youth choir.

On August 25, 1973, Raymond married Delores Thompson. To this union a daughter was born, Joy. Raymond was a loving husband and devoted father to Joy, Franklin, Gerald, and Sharman. Raymond enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling.

The Lord called Raymond home early Sunday morning, March 1, 2009. His parents, three brothers, Roy, Wilbert, and Ronald Williams; and three sisters, Geraldine and Helen Williams, and Mildred Williams Mosley all preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted and loving wife of 35 years, Delores; two sons, Franklin (Veronica) Terry of Arlington, TX; Gerald (Crystal) Terry of St. Louis, MO; two daughters, Sharman Terry and Joy Raenell Williams of St. Louis, MO; four grandsons, Joshua (Loriann), Jerald (Shemekia), Caleb, and Jerome; three granddaughters, Ashlei (Brandon), Harmony, and Frangelica Christina; four great grandchildren; two sisters, Eloise Tolbert of Atlanta, GA, and Ethel Brown of St. Louis, MO; one aunt, Albertha Williams of Tennessee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as his church family.

Everyone loved Raymond. He was a very kind, loving outgoing man. He will be truly missed and remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Services were held at the
Austin A Layne Mortuary in St. Louis, Missouri

Layne Renaissance Chapel
7302 West Florissant Avenue St. Louis, MO US 63136
314-381-6900

Visitation to be held on
Sunday, Mar. 8, 2009
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Service to be held on
Monday, Mar. 9, 2009
12 Noon

Friedens Cemetery
8941 N. Broadway St. Louis, MO US 63137
314-867-5126

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Vera Braxton, daughter of Cullen Caldwell died on Thursday February 10, 2009 in Saint Louis Missouri. She had a daughter Valerie Braxton. Vera is the grand daughter of Albertine Williams, great grand daughter of Dennis Williams and Ella Woodson, and great great grand daughter of Harriet Elizabeth Rayner and great great great grand daughter of Mandi Williams.

Here is the announcement that was published after her death:

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Vera Celestine Caldwell
 was born on March 30, 1945 to Cullen and Greetel Caldwell in St. Louis, Missouri.

She received her education in the St. Louis Public Schools graduating from McKinley High School. Vera retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and was employed part-time as a Tax Professional at H & R Block.

Vera was born of the spirit of God on April 4, 1954 under the leadership of the late Rev. Sherman Glover. She joined the Rising Star M. B. Church and was baptized in the Mississippi River in August of the same year. She sang with her sisters in a group called The Caldwell Sisters and in the Young Adult and Junior/Intermediate Choirs. Vera was a very lively and talkative person and met no strangers. She always had a smile and was willing to help a person in need. She was well loved by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, and sister, Sharon Gilmore.

Vera passed away at her home Tuesday evening, February 10, 2009 after a lengthy illness. She leaves to cherish her memory: a daughter ~ Valerie Braxton; her mother ~ Greetel Caldwell; one sister ~ Marilyn Jordan; two brothers-in-law ~ Conrad Jordan and Jimmie Gilmore; two aunts ~ Alfreda Burtis and Thelma Caldwell; four nephews ~ Michael Jordan, Darryl Gilmore, Anthony Gilmore and D-Juan Gilmore; one niece ~ Celeste Jordan; two grand-nephews; three grand-nieces; two play sisters ~ Valerie Farwell and Derilyn Williams; five God-daughters ~ Lana, Sue, Mattie, Kim, and Pam; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services Entrusted To:

Granberry Mortuary, Inc.
8806 Jennings Station Road
Jennings, Missouri 63136
(314) 867-8837

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Please remember our beloved family members and their immediate families in your prayers tonight.

Lucille Caldwell, 1916-2008

Descendants of Mandi are saddened to announce the passing of Lucille Caldwell, 91, of St. Louis, Mo., on March 1, 2008. Lucille was the wife of the late Elvis Caldwell (JUL 16, 1912 - DEC 23, 2001). Her service was held on Fri., March 7, 2008, 11 a.m., Murchison Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in St. Louis. Arrangements were by Wade Funeral Home.

Elvis Caldwell was the son of Samuel Caldwell (?-1986) and Albertine Williams (1889-1971). His siblings were Samella Caldwell, Minnie Lue Caldwell, Cullen Caldwell (1917-1998), Mattie Bell Caldwell, Alfredia Caldwell, Joe Dennis Caldwell, Richard Caldwell.

They had two children named Marvin Caldwell and Elvis, Jr. Caldwell.

Elvis' mother Albertine Williams was born NOV 1889 in Haywood County TN. She died 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of Dennis Williams (1862-1947) and Ella Woodson (?-1899). Her siblings were Luevester Williams (1881-?), Jim Williams (1882-?), Minnie Williams (1884-?), Ella Williams (1887-?), Burl Thomas Williams (1888-?), Annie Williams, Rozelle Williams (1893-?), Magnolia Williams (1894-?), Mattie Ester Williams (1896-?).

We ask that you all join us in prayer for the members of the Caldwell family at this loss.

Early Caldwell, Jr 1919-2007

Early Caldwell, Jr.
April 19,1919-November 14, 2007

This year the Thanksgiving season has been tinged with sadness for the Williams-Rivers Family, at the Passing of another elder among the Descendants of Mandi, Early Caldwell Jr.

Early was born on April 19, 1919 in Haywood County Tennessee. He made his transition on Wednesday November 14, 2007 in Gary Indiana where he had lived for more than 30 years.

Early married Celestine Carney in 1951. They had four children named Ronald Caldwell, V-Ester Caldwell, Sisilla Caldwell, and Toni Caldwell.

Early Caldwell, Jr. was the son of Early Caldwell and Minnie Williams (1884-?). His siblings were Joel Caldwell, Veatrice Caldwell, Theola Caldwell, Mattie B. Caldwell.

His mother Minnie Williams was the daughter of Dennis Williams (1862-1947) and his first wife , Ella Woodson (b?-1899). Dennis Willams was the son of of Harmon Williams and Harriet Elizabeth Rayner (1827-1918). Harriet Elizabeth Rayner was the daughter of Mandi Williams.

We had the honor of attending Early Caldwell's funeral (with full military honors) earlier today along with nearly a hundred other family members. The service was very moving and the warmth of freinds and family for the man they called "the Master Story Teller", "Early Bald," "Little Early" and dozens of other terms of endearment was evident throughout the many tributes and remarks.

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The following text is from the obituary produced for the Saturday's Services at Carter Memorial CME Church, 635 West 49th Avenue, Gary Indiana, 46408.

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On Wednesday, November 14, 2007, Early Caldwell, Jr., (the master story teller), went to sit at God's table wit his parents, the late Minnie Williams Caldwell and Early Caldwell, Sr., his sisters Veatrice Brown, Theola Caldwell and Mattie B. Jackson and his brother Joel. He was born on Aril 19, 1919 in Haywood county Tennessee.

Early professed hsi belief in Jesus Christ at an early age, and was an active member of Carter Memoial CME Church until his failing health prohibited him form attending. During hsi early tenure at Carter "Chapel" CME Church he served as Sunday School Superintendant, Sunday School Teacher, Chior member and member of the Male Chorus.

Early served his country in the Korean conflict where he was stationed in the Solomon Islands and recieved an honorable discharge with the rank of Sargeant. Early was the recipient of the War II Victory Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Wrold Conflict Infantryman Badge-First Award, American Defense Service Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, and the Good Conduct Medal.

After his discharge, Early enrolled in Lane College in jackson Tennessee, where he recieved his BA in History, and went on to become a teacher in the Haywood County School System, where he met his future wife.

With his bride Celestine, he relocated to Mansfield OH, and later moved to Gary Iniana to be closer to his brother Joel. He retired after thirty-three years of employment at the Coke Plant at U.S. Steel.

He leaves to Cherish his memory, his wife of 56 years, Clestine (Carney) Caldwell, one son Ronald (Gary IN), three daughters, V-Ester Caldwell (Coasta Mesa, CA), Sisilla Yolanda Rucker (Gary IN), and Toni Denise (Chris) Grant (Riverside CA), three grandchildren, Juanita J. Caldwell (Las Vegas NV), Vancell V. McClinton (Dubuque, IA), and Taylor B. (Keith) Arnold (Moreno Valley, CA), five great grandchildren, one aunt, Albertha Williams (Stanton TN), five sisters-in-law, Mattie Cannon, Mildred Sweet, Annie Miller, Cosetta Miller and Varah Caldwell, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Interment
Oak Hill Cemetery
4450 Harrison Street
Gary IN

Pallbearers
John Johnson
Anton Titus
Russel Williamson
REginald Carney
Michael Cannon
Troy Washington

Honorary Pallbearers
carlton W. Brown
Joel Caldwell, Jr.
Willie Titus
Jules Carlos
Billy Carney
Charles Hardiman

Alversa Williams Lee, 1911-2007

This is a time of sadness and reflection for the Williams-Rivers Family. We have lost one of our most beloved family members, Alversa Williams Lee made her transition on Tuesday October 9, 2007, in Memphis, Tennessee. Mother, sister, wife, cousin, aunt, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother--She was a matriarch of our family. Aunt Alversa was a driving force behind the Williams-Rivers Family Reunion which has occurred every even numbered year since the late 1970s. She was also one of our Family Griots, who shared her vast knowledge of family history with us all, through her writings in the family reunion booklets and many personal conversations. Her insights are among those that have made the Descendants of Mandi website possible.

She was born near Brownsville Tennessee in 1911, into a very large family. She was the forth child, and oldest girl born to Dennis Williams and Luella Short Williams. Luella was Dennis’ second wife and at the time of her birth, Alversa had 15 older siblings. The family would later grow to a total of 21 siblings. She later married Robert Lee, and they had a large family of their own, 14 kids in all. Over the years she became a kind of mother to us all. It always amazed me that she knew and could remember all the names of members of our family—as I could scarcely imagine keeping up with the names of 14 kids, much less all the cousins, etc. that she had stored in her brain. She was a sharp woman, and remained so, right into her 90s.

With her passing, I was reminded of a quote on the importance of elders and ancestors in our families. The quote is from Alex Haley's commentary in the acknowledgements of his best selling novel “Roots.” Haley said, "Today it is rightly said that when a griot dies, it is as if a library has burned to the ground. The griot symbolizes how all human ancestry goes back to some place, some time, where there was no writing. Then, the memories and the mouths of ancient elders was the only way that early histories of mankind got passed along...for all of us to know who we are."

I think it is fitting that we honor Aunt Alversa with a quote from Alex Haley, as he was an acquaintance of hers, from nearby Henning Tennessee, and he helped inspire her to pursue her quest for a family reunion in the late 1970s after the phenomenal success of his book. I imagine that now, the two of them will be enjoying deep conversations about the importance of history and family to this ongoing journey we’re all traversing.

Our related sister website, The Short Austin Family Tree has also placed a Memorium to Aunt Alversa on it's Elders Page: (the page was up until October 31 2007, it has now been removed)

It can be found at http://www.shortaustinfamilytree.com/elders_page.html

Another tribute, written by her Granddaughter Intisar Abioto, can be found at the PEOPLE COULD FLY Website Blog.

Pray for us in the days ahead.