Isabella Americus Williams' Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Isabella Americus Williams, 99 of Citrus Heights, CA on, January 8, 2023. Isabella Americus Hicks-Williams was born in Anniston, Alabama on October 26th, 1923, to Curtis Dewitt Hicks and Lelia Marie Elberts-Hicks. She was raised in Anniston along with her only sister Wyleen Hicks in a family community where faith, education, and family were central. She accepted the lord at an early age at Gaines Chapel AME. Isabella attended South Highland Elementary and later attended Cobb Avenue High School, where she was crowned Miss Cobb in 1941. After graduating, she attended Clark University (now Clark College) in Atlanta, GA. She attended at a time when it was not accessible to Black women but found joy singing in a sextet group. After two years she withdrew due to her father’s poor health and financial challenges.
In 1943, her father gave her hand in marriage to Andrew Daniel Foster. To this union was born her eldest daughter, Annetta Donan Foster-Jolivette. After spending a few years in Indianapolis, in 1947 Isabella moved to San Francisco, CA. There she worked at the Shipyards in the Bayview Hunter’s Point District. She spent many years actively involved in her godparents’ Rev. James and Beulah Mae Singleton’s church, St. James Missionary Baptist Church; traveling with cousins Jimmy, George, Arlister, and Wilbert, singing songs of praise as Rev. James preached the gospel. The Singleton’s were close family friends with Isabella’s father and became grandparents to her children. In 1948, she met and married Stephen Alexander Rew. Through this union she had three daughters: Carol Rew, Sheila Rew, and Stephanie Rew. Isabella lived in the Potrero Hill neighborhood with her husband and four daughters for several years.
In 1961, she met Reverend Albert Williams at Sunshine Missionary Baptist Church in San Francisco, CA, where he was pastor. Isabella united in marriage with Reverend Albert Williams in 1963, adding seven children to the family: Albert Williams Jr, Linda Williams-Smith, Laverne Williams, Larry Williams, Danny Williams, Patricia Williams-Akins, and Richard Williams.
Isabella and her husband Albert moved to San Mateo where Albert was called to pastor Second Baptist Church Missionary Church located at 27 South Fremont Street. As first lady of the church, Isabella was a devoted wife, mother, and leader in the community. To her husband and 11 children, Isabella became a role model for a life well lived. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She also acted as a surrogate mother to her late sister Wyleen’s children due to her sister’s untimely passing at a young age. For over thirty years as first lady of Second Baptist Church, Isabella remained a faithful servant of the lord and a powerful force in the lives of her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren’s lives.
Isabella went to be with her lord and savior on Sunday January 8th at 5:30AM at the age of 99! She has been the matriarch of our family for our entire lives and to so many other people from the Hicks to the Elberts families among many others. For her family three things standout about her long and beautiful life: 1. Her Faith; 2; Her Laugh; and 3. Her Compassion. Mama had a great sense of humor, and an infectious laugh that brought joy to us all. For nearly 100 years she expressed and lived out her faith in God and in a creator who makes all things possible. We all thought Mama was the most beautiful woman on earth. Well, her beauty was equally matched on the inside. She was there for every graduation, birthday, wedding, and major life event. She made sure to keep up with her children and grandchildren after her husband Albert passed away and she moved to Citrus Heights where she lived with her daughters. She had a heart of gold, and we know she was as proud of us as we are proud of her and the legacy that she leaves us.
She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy, daughters: Carol Anderson, Sheila Mayo, and Stephanie Johnson, stepchildren: Albert Williams Jr., Linda Smith, and Laverne Williams, 17 grandchildren Eric Adams, Derrick Adams, Makeba Jolivette, Andrew Jolivette, Charles Jolivette, Nathan Jolivette, John Anderson, Lanetta Anderson, Andre Anderson, Steven Anderson, Talana Akins, Alisha Akins, Norman Morgan, Annitra Morgan, Yokiesha Morgan, Ruthiea Johnson, Angelique Johnson, Chennell Williams, Rashad Williams, Richard Williams Jr., Thelonious Williams, Kenneth Williams, Donnell Smith, LaTosha Smith, Madonna Akins-Box, Daniall Box, Larry Williams Jr.,Quethanra Williams, Tenisha Williams, Davonte Williams; 68 great grandchildren, a niece Lelia Carter, nephews, Luther Nelson, Marcus Clayton, Michael Nelson and a host of other dear cousins, family, and friends.
Family and Friends are invited to the Funeral Service on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park with the Interment to follow.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Skylawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Hwy 92 at Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402 Service details and Obituary will be posted as soon as they become available. Please check back for updates. Please reach out to Skylawn Funeral Home with questions or concerns regarding health and safety, parking and facilities, as well as questions about the Memorial Park. The hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm.
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