Janie Lillian Williams

On March 4, 2017, Janie Lillian Williams passed away peacefully at home in Severn, Maryland, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on October 8, 1921, to the late Sterling Walker Sr. and Della Patterson Walker in Dendron, Virginia. She had eight siblings: Sterling Jr., Emma, Patterson, Charles, Dorothy, Larry, Ralph and Robert. Janie was the 7th of 9 children. Janie married Herbert Newsome, Jr. and through this union, Herbert III, Earl, Robert, Yvonne, and Deborah were born. They resided in Norfolk, Virginia. Later, she married John Williams and they moved to Chesapeake, Virginia. She was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, the Wives of Bachelor-Benedict and the Baker’s Dozen Club. Janie received her education in the Norfolk Public School System. She was employed as a food service worker and enjoyed being a homemaker. Janie enjoyed cooking for her family and was known to add different ingredients to her meals to enhance the flavor; many often questioning if an extra spice or sauce was added to her recipes. Her home often smelled of Maxwell House Coffee, warm glazed donuts and country sausage that she would serve at breakfast. Family was important to Janie. Her home was the family gathering place, especially during the holidays. She would give advice to family members and was a motivator to her four children. She valued education and encouraged and supported her children throughout their baccalaureate and graduate studies. Janie would often dialogue with her sisters and brothers about current events and historical information. She smiled and laughed often and always gave hugs to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Janie looked forward to spending time with family members and sharing stories of her upbringing and memories of her siblings and parents. Janie lived a fulfilled life. She loved fashion, had a signature pose and was always ready for pictures. She toured the Caribbean, London, Paris and Canada. Janie enjoyed listening to musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson, and Billy Eckstine. Mother Janie, as she was affectionately known, also liked to dance. She enjoyed gardening and maintained a beautiful yard with flowers. Janie is preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings, baby Earl Newsome; husband, John Williams; daughter-in-law, Carolyn R. Newsome; and grandson, Tristan Newsome. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Herbert III (Beverly), Robert, Yvonne (David), and Deborah, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Janie touched the hearts and lives of all who surrounded her and she will truly be missed.

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Janie Lillian Williams

October 8, 1921 - March 4, 2017