Magnolia T. Williams

Magnolia Thomas Williams, also known as Granny to her loved ones, returned to her heavenly home on October 12, 2015 after a valiant battle with a long illness at the age of 97. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Magnolia was born to the late Benjamin McCord and Angeline Thomas in Abbeville, South Carolina on May 9, 1918. Magnolia was the oldest of nine children by Angeline. As a toddler Magnolia, along with her sister Ruth, were stricken with Spanish Influenza. The pandemic killed Magnolia's sister Ruth and between 50-100 million people worldwide Yet, Magnolia survived. She was immersed in the Christian community that would be her lifelong support from an early age. Magnolia, along with her family, was an active member at her grandfather’s church. She lived with her late maternal Aunt Bessie and Uncle Ned from nine years old through adolescence. Magnolia graduated from Second Ward High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She moved to Maryland as a young nursing student at Henryton State Hospital (a sanitarium for people of color). Magnolia earned her nursing degree and embarked on a thirty year career caring for patients suffering from Tuberculosis. Magnolia began working as a charge nurse at City Hospital in 1963 (now Bayview) at their Tuberculosis Center. In 1970 Magnolia returned to school at the Community College of Baltimore and became licensed as a Register Nurse. The next twenty years, she worked in the infirmary at Morgan State University Infirmary touching everyone she met with her motherly, vivacious personality. Magnolia was blessed with a devoted and loving family. She married her late husband, Irvin Williams, in 1951. Magnolia helped raise her two children with patience, discipline and humility. In addition to her own children, Magnolia was instrumental in raising her grandchildren, being very active in their everyday lives. She passed on her loving, caring values and always encouraged respect and dignity at all times. Magnolia is survived by daughter, Gail Williams Glasser; son Wesley Williams Sr.; her grandchildren Natalie Brewer, Wesley Williams Jr., Melissa LeCator, Garreth Dottin and Amelie Williams; her sister Francis Lane; her brothers, Albert Thomas and James Thomas; and several step-children, in-laws and other family members. She is preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Williams, her sisters, Ruth Thomas, Julia Johnson, Bessie Lee Kirby; and brother, Samuel Thomas.

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Magnolia T. Williams

May 9, 1918 - October 12, 2015