Ida Lou Knighton-Williams

Mrs. Ida Lou Knighton Williams was born June 6, 1911 to the late Shadyann and Willie Knighton in Terrell county, Georgia. She and her brother,  Raymond were born to this union. At an early age following the death of her mother, she was reared by Lucy Knighton (stepmother) and her father of which two daughters were born, Leona and Ethel. At the death of her father she was reared by her aunt and uncle Sennie and Elijah Green. On December 19, 1931, Ida married Samuel Thomas Williams (S.T.) and to this union eight children were born.In the 1920s and 1930s there was little opportunity for blacks to go to school; however, Ida reached the seventh grade and understood the importance of education and made sure all of her children made education a priority. Her greatest enjoyments were being an avid reader of the Bible and newspaper daily, cooking for her family and friends, and sewing/quilting. She had a strong sense of family and took great pride in traveling to see her grands and great-grands graduate; whether it were in Massachusetts, Texas, Georgia or Florida. She loved her community and was a registered voter since blacks and women could vote. Subsequently, she voted every year. Her work life included employment at the Basket Factory, Burgin Lumber Company, Andrew College and Domestic Housekeeping. She was a member of Virgil Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for over 80 years where she served in many capacities such as Sunday School Treasurer, Food and Communion Auxiliaries and Deaconess. She was honored with the title "Mother of the Church" for over two decades. Mrs. Williams departed this life on Saturday, May  25, 2013 at S.W.GA Regional Medical Center in Cuthbert, Georgia.She was preceded in death by her husband, S.T. Williams; two daughters, Janie Williams and Mildred Harris; one grandson; one great-grandson; two sisters and one brother. She is survived by six children; Bettye Wilson, Valdosta, GA; Minnie Lewis, Cuthbert,GA; Marian Smith, Tallahassee, FL; Samuel Williams, Montezuma, GA; Wesley Williams, Cuthbert, GA; Naomi Hopps, Savannah, GA; two sons-in-law, Frank Wilson and Robert Hopps; two daughters-in-law, Julia Williams and Juanita Williams; Fifteen Grandchildren; 27 great grands; 5 great-great grands; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We gather here today not because Ida Lou Williams died, but because she lived.