Christine Elizabeth Williams

Christine E. Williams was a daughter of the late Claude Powell, Sr., and the late Viola Best Powell. They provided a loving and nurturing environment for Christine and her brothers and sisters on the family farm in Lenoir County, North Carolina, where they were sharecroppers. Her early Christian education began at Beautiful Valley Baptist Church; her mother was "Mother of the Church." She would continue her walk in faith throughout her life and was, at her passing, "Mother" of Cornerstone Church of Christ. Christine completed her early education in the County public school system; she was a graduate of Trenton Junior/Senior High School. With a goal of becoming a teacher, like her mother who was a graduate of the historically black college, Kittrell College, she completed two years of study at Fayetteville Stat Teachers College (now University). She married Roscoe Williams, also a resident of Lenoir County, began her family, and, later, moved to Baltimore, Maryland. They were married for almost 60 years when Roscoe died in June 2004. She was the proud mother of six children, Cheryl D. Hassoun, Roscoe "Rick" Williams, Jr., Lisa B. Williams, Kaye L. Valdes, Ronald S. Williams and Tina N. Williams. She thought it very important for her children to be fully prepared upon entering kindergarten and made sure each had more than just the basics. She also encouraged each in his/her attainment of basic life skills and academic excellence throughout their education. A "stay-at-home mom", her commitment to education continued with her presence and sustained engagement in the elementary schools of each of her children, where she was also an active member of the Parent-Teacher Association. She eagerly gave permission to her children's teachers to discipline them if needed. At home, "the look" was all discipline they needed to correct negative behavior. After her children were older, Christine began employment in various sales positions for a number of years. Later, she took special delight in lending her hidden artistic skills in the design and production of products manufactured by Readybuilt Products, from which she retired in 1992. Christine was proud of the educational accomplishments of her children; all have at least one college degree and have held significant and rewarding positions in the private and public sectors of finance, information technology, health care and medicine. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are also being encouraged to do well in school and life. Christine rewarded her grandchildren with monetary gifts for grades of "A" and "B," until they completed high school, and admonished them to "keep up the good work" in college. She loved and adored her six grandchildren: Jibril S. Hassoun of San Diego, California; Tara V. Williams and Renee D. Williams of Palmdale, California; Miguel A. Valdes of Bel Air, Maryland; Shayna B. Williams and Aliyah N. Williams of Ellicott City, Maryland, and three great grandchildren: Jessica A. Hassoun, Roscoe N. Hassoun and Gabriel T. Hassoun of San Diego, CA. Both near and far, she imparted the same values of education, honesty and respect for others that she instilled in their parents. She glowed with delight telling and retelling her childhood experiences and other exchanges with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also fond of her interactions with the children of her Church, where she was a member for over 50 years. Her children recall walking around the dining room table filling Easter baskets and Christmas stockings with goodies to share with the children of the Church. She supported the Church's various ministries and programs. In her early years, she was an active member of the Mary Henson Circle, the Mother's Board Ministry and the Bobby Barnett Senior Ministry. For years she served as a Sunday school teacher, and was then appointed Sunday School Superintendent. Even in her advanced years, she continued to be among the first to arrive for Sunday School, opening devotions on time and insisting that classes end in time for the beginning of service. Students and teachers recalled with fondness her ringing the "closing bell" to signal the start of worship service and the need not to delay moving to the sanctuary. Christine enjoyed cooking and teaching her children how to cook. In addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, Friday and impromptu fish frys were a special delight. She enjoyed spur of the moment shopping excursions and dining with her children. Crossword puzzles, theatrical performances, concerts, especially the world renowned Morgan State University Choir, were among her other favorite activities, as well as discovering local and state treasures. She was a very strong, resourceful, and loving woman. She reached 92 years of age in August and departed this life stoically on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. In may ways she used the last six months of her life to prepare her children for her transition. In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Christine is survived by a son-in-law, Luis Valdes; two daughters-in-law, LaVerne Williams and LaChelle Williams; two sisters, Corinth Horton and Carrie Powell of Kinston, North Carolina; one brother-in-law, five sisters-in-law and extended family, that included her Cornerstone Church members, and friends. Her siblings, Claude Powell, Jr., Clarence Ray Powell and Wesley Best, preceded her in death. If desired, contributions may be made to Fayetteville State University, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301; please note "CEPW Scholarship" on the memo line.

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Christine Elizabeth Williams

August 22, 1927 - November 27, 2019