Aurelia Johnson Williams

“How well she feel asleep! Like some proud river, widening toward the sea; Calmly and gently, silently and deep, Life joined eternity.” Aurelia “Rea” Johnson Williams departed this life to Everlasting Life on February 19, 2014. Aurelia, also known as “Rea” was born on January 8, 1938 in King William County, Virginia to the late Alma and Judge Lee Johnson. She later moved to the Buchanan neighborhood on Jay Street in Richmond, Virginia then to Oakwood Avenue in Churchill. She attended the Richmond Public School system, including Armstrong High School and Maggie Walker High School. She later married Henry Lee Williams and out of this union were born three beautiful daughters, Mrs. Burnettia Simms, Patricia Williams and Denise Williams Thompson. Mother, Aurelia, known as “Rea” to many, loved to cook. Her passion for cooking sparked a 35 year career as a Cafeteria Cook and Assistant Cafeteria Manager for the Richmond Public School system. She is remembered most to the children she served for her Homemade Bread. Sundays were special at Mother Aurelia’s home as she laid out a spread of her children and grandchildren’s favorite home-cooked cuisine…Fresh Rolls, Spoon Bread, Chitterlings, Macaroni & Cheese and Fried Chicken. Mother Williams also loved hanging out with her friends,Ms. Goldie and Ms. Juanita. They loved to dance and paint the town red. She made her own dazzling attire, often debuting her newest looks at the Mosque. Family was most important to Aurelia and she cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a woman of unique wisdom and was known as everybody’s mom. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, three daughters, Mrs. Burnettia Simms (Charles), Ms. Patricia Williams and Mrs. Denise Williams-Thompson (Tom); two sons-in-law, Rev. Charles Simms and Mr. Thomas Belamey; five grandchildren, Mario Simms, Tiffany Stewart, Lakeisha and Breona Williams and Brandon Smith; three great grandchildren, Derrick Payne, Jr. KeiTwan Spruill and Devonte` Anderson, Jr.; one sister-in-law, Delores Johnson, devoted friends.Mrs. Goldie Elam.Mrs. Juanita Mumford and Deacon Wendell Baskerville; and a host of other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Tributes

Aurelia Johnson Williams

January 8, 1914 - February 19, 2014