Patsy Maude Williams

With heavy hearts, but gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Patsy Maude Williams, affectionately known as Mama or Grammie. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her daughters, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
On May 16, 1937, Patsy Maude was born to Holton and Willie Watters in Shannon, Georgia. The youngest of their 4 children, Patsy lived her childhood full of wonder, fun-filled adventure, love, curiosity, and the simple joys of country life. Some of her most cherished times as a child included spending time with her grandmother Gertrude Famber and learning the art of cooking. Patsy's attentiveness to her cooking skills brought warmth and joy to countless family gatherings. She spent her days playing in a nearby creek with her siblings and cousins, picking fresh berries, and climbing fences to explore the cow fields-sometimes finding themselves in a little more excitement than planned, like the time a bull got loose!
Resourceful and creative, Patsy's talents seemed endless and everything she created was done with great precision with a spirit of humility. She made many of her own clothes, which, impressed her friends so much they wanted her to make theirs too. Patsy and her sister Ann agreed to trade chores when their mother wasn't paying attention. Patsy, preferring to cook, frequently swapped cleaning for cooking with Ann, who preferred to clean instead. These small acts of childhood rebellion hinted at the strong, independent, and determined woman she would become.
Patsy and her siblings grew up in a strict, devout Christian household and her faith in the Lord was the cornerstone of her life. They attended the Holiness (Pentecostal) Church and Patsy shared stories of her witness as a child of the power of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of God's grace and mercy in her life. From a little girl, running to the front of the church to proclaim, "I love Jesus! He's my friend!", into her adult life. Patsy remained faithful to Jesus and raised her own family to be unwavering in their faith as well.
While studying Dietetics at Tuskegee University, Patsy met the love of her life, Clayborn Bennie Williams, who was majoring in Education. Their love story led them on a journey together, moving north to Michigan to build a life full of opportunities for their growing family. With their own hands, they built a home-brick by brick, room by room-laying the foundation for a lifetime of memories.
They were blessed with five wonderful children: Jacqueline, Sheilah, Cedric, Sherrilyn, and Letitia. Patsy and Clayborn shared 25 years of marriage before parting ways, but their time together was filled with adventure and a dedication to their children. Their summers were spent on road trips down south to visit family in Abbeville, Alabama, and Dalton, Georgia, and on camping trips to Point Pelee, Camp Tamarack, and various youth hostels. Whether horseback riding, bowling, or simply laughing together, Patsy made sure that her daughters grew up with a sense of adventure and togetherness. As a mother, she led by example-showing her daughters the power of kindness, the importance of faith, and the strength of a woman who stands firm in her beliefs.
Patsy's hands were never idle. She had a gift for sewing, crafting stunning garments from everyday outfits for her daughters to theatrical costumes, doll clothes, and even a wedding gown for a neighbor. Her love for gardening brought beauty and nourishment to her home, and her passion for baking became legendary-her Holiday Cake's will forever be remembered as the best to ever grace a table. She passed down her creativity and artistic spirit to her family, finding joy in painting and singing. When she sang, it was as if an angel had graced the earth with her voice.
Patsy loved watching comedy, classic westerns and spooky movies, often giggling at ghosts. Patsy dedicated her life not only to her family but also to her work, serving in the neonatal nursery at Old Providence, and later retiring from the Communications Department at Sinai Hospital in Detroit.
Throughout her life, Patsy was deeply connected to God and the church. As a child, she attended the Saint James Overcoming Church of God in Dalton, Georgia. After marrying and moving to Michigan, she became an active member of the family-founded Jeffries Baptist Church in Detroit until the passing of the late Charles Warmack. She then joined First Baptist Church of Detroit. For over 30 years, she was a faithful member.
She gave generously to organizations that were dear to her heart, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Boys Home. Her faith in the Lord was the cornerstone of her life. From the time she was a little girl, running to the front of the church to proclaim, "I love Jesus! He's my friend!", to her later years when she instilled that same unwavering faith in her family, she remained devoted to her beliefs. Patsy's love knew no bounds, and she poured it into every member of her family.
She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in her children: Jacqueline Gensler (Neil), Sheilah Mingo (Jody), Sherrilyn Branch, and Letitia Williams. Her love extended to her grandchildren, each of whom she adored: Deangelo Vaughn (Martha), Danica Vaughn, Jennifer Ranieri (Jeffrey), Lauren Munoz (Anthony), Kristin Bestrom (Luke), Sharie Branch, Barrington Strozier, Erica O'Brien (Timothy), and Neil Gensler II.
She was also blessed to be cherished by her great-grandchildren: Kylie, Liam, Karly, and Dominick Vaughn; Jeffrey, Alexandra, and Zachary Ranieri; Sarahn Shepherd, Diana, and Ronan Munoz; Hayes and Calen O'Brien.
She is survived by her dear sister, Ann Chambliss (Eugene - deceased) of Atlanta Georgia, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends, including Candice Wesner, Sirron Branch, and Bernard Williams to name a few. She was preceded in death by her parents, Holton and Willie Watters, her baby boy Cedric Williams, and her beloved siblings, Lewis Watters (Marjorie) and Gertrude McBeath (Georgio).
Patsy Maude Williams was a woman of strength, grace, and unwavering love. She taught us that words are like feathers in the wind-once released, they cannot be taken back. She showed us how to stand firm without ever uttering a cruel word, how to live with kindness and dignity, and how to love unconditionally. Her legacy will continue through the lives she touched, the lessons she taught, and the family she adored.
While we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the extraordinary woman she was, and we find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and resting in the arms of her Savior. Until we meet again, Mama we will carry your love with us always