Zula R. Williams

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Zula Williams was born on July 9, 1931, in Auburn, Alabama. She was the oldest of three children born to James and Ida (Welch) Rowell, both deceased. Her family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1944. Zula attended the Cleveland Public Schools and graduated from John Adams High School. She earned a BS Degree in Elementary Education from Fenn College (Cleveland State University) and during that time became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Zula thereafter earned a M.A. in Elementary Education from Case Western Reserve University. She also completed postgraduate work in Education Administration at Case Western Reserve University, Akron, and Kent State University.

Zula began attending the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in 1944. She accepted Christ during her teenage years and was baptized by the late Pastor Wilbert J. Jackson. She faithfully served in the Church as a Deaconess, Director of Christian Education, Vacation Bible School teacher, and choir member. She was an officer in various ministries and served willingly wherever she was needed. Deaconess Williams loved to study God's Word. She studied at the Maranatha Bible College with her late husband, Deacon Jack Williams, Sr., and graduated from the Affinity Baptist Church Bible School in 2017. She also attended many Bible Study classes at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church.

Zula Rowell and Jack Williams, Sr. were united in holy matrimony on April 2, 1955. God blessed them with two sons, Jack, Jr. and James. Zula and Jack, Sr. shared 50 loving years together until God called him home on June 12, 2005.

Zula loved learning and teaching. Professionally she was an elementary school teacher for 12 years, and then an assistant principal and principal for more than 20 years. In "retirement" she served as educational consultant, substitute principal and mentor of new principals in the Cleveland Public School System, and a volunteer tutor. One of her greatest joys was babysitting and teaching her grandchildren, and tutoring any children in the community who needed a little help.

Zula was a founding member of the Eliza Bryant Auxiliary III, a long-term care facility for seniors, and the oldest continually operating African-American founded long-term care facility in the United States. Zula served the facility faithfully for over 50 years; she especially enjoyed visiting the residents of the home.

Her many interests included reading, traveling, bowling and enjoying music.

Zula was preceded in death by her two siblings, Bernice Ledger (Clinton, deceased) and James Rowell, Jr. (Ruby). Surviving Zula to cherish her memory are her two precious sons: Atty. Jack Williams Jr. (Rhea) and James Williams, as well as two sisters-in-law, Ruby Rowell (James) and Louise Williams (Jesse, deceased). Also rejoicing in lifelong memories are her four grandchildren: Jaime, Jack III, Kortni, and Brian; and a host of nieces and nephews: Lisa Ledger, Lechanne Ledger, Eric Rowell, Darnell Rowell, Antoinette Johnson (Robert), Donita Foster (Mario), Carolyn Thomas, Rev. Jeanie Turpin, Judy Williams (Tony), Ruth Longshaw, Eric Longshaw (Ardath), Mark Longshaw, Denise Henderson (Vincent), Laura Small (Steven), David Williams (Pamela), Kenneth Williams, Gigi Williams, Walter Williams; and a special cousin, Linda Washington. She will be lovingly remembered by more great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Flowers to the church or a donation can be made to the American Stroke Association, which is a division of the American Heart Association.

Make it a Memorial Gift in honor of Zula Williams. In your confirmation email, you can have an acknowledgment card sent to Jack Williams at jack3will@msn.com.