Arzella Lee Williams
August 14, 1936 - June 24, 2012
Obituary
ARZELLA LEE CLARK WILLIAMS
Arzella Lee Clark was born on August 14, 1936 to Sammie Lee Sims and Marical Lee Clark in Dallas, Texas, but reared from her childhood in San Francisco, California. She was raised by her devoted mother fondly known in later years as Mother Sammie Lee Sims. They had a beautiful mother-daughter relationship. Her mother went home to be with the Lord in 2006. She married Arcell Carter in 1951 and from this union was born three children, Charlotte, Rodney and Cathy. Arzella Lee Carter married in 1963 the love of her life, Clenaure J. Williams and to this union her fourth child Glynis was born. Arzella along with Clenaure also had the pleasure of raising their granddaughter Chantell. Their family also includes Diane who was a daughter in the Lord. Arzella and Clenaure lived in Auburn, Washington for over 34 years.
Arzella Lee Williams relocated to Seattle with her husband and together they raised their family. She cared for her children, teaching us to do the right thing. We were taught as young teenagers to have respect for ourselves and that we could be anything we desired. We were taught to never be jealous of anyone, hold our heads up high and walk straight. We learned to cook her delicious dressing, banana pudding, preach cobbler and macaroni & cheese. Oh my God, we had to clean those chitterlings at Thanksgiving and before we went out on New Year’s Eve. Once our brother had a friend who was not of our race waiting on him and he said, “Man when are you going to be done cleaning them rags “? She did not believe in cooking from the box or can. Everything from scratch and fresh! We may have had a TV dinner once or twice a year and that was a treat. She kept a clean house, washed our clothes, our hair combed every other day and a stocking cap placed on it to keep it nice. She was always finding ways to redecorate the house teaching Charlotte and me (Cathy). I remember the time in the 60s when we covered the chairs and she hit her toe with the hammer. We had lots of fun doing those types of things together. Mama loved to travel, large and small trips especially to the ocean with her husband and daughter Charlotte. Her husband loved her dearly as she loved him all of the 48 years of their marriage. As you all know she was a dresser from her head to her toes. Mama we already miss you; MUCH LOVE YOUR CHILDREN…
Evangelist A. L. Williams gave her life to the Lord at the Seed of Abraham Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Pastor and Overseer M. J. Bass. It is under this ministry that she accepted the call of God on her life. For many years, she served faithfully in various capacities while at the Seed of Abraham. She was the Women’s Department President for over 25 years and also served as the Federated Pentecostal Churches International Women’s Department Vice President for 3 years and President for 2 years under the leadership of Bishop S. D. Leffall. Serving in this capacity gave her the opportunity to mentor many women to be successful in their lives with her straight and no nonsense teaching (She did not take no mess). You knew you had better get right and quicklyJ because she wasn’t playing any games. She was loved and admired by many. There was a team of women that called themselves the A Team from out of the Women’s Department. She not only counseled the Sisters, but she also conducted premarital and couples counseling. The Brother’s supported and loved greatly. She would not tell your business, a woman of integrity. Actively involved in the Seed of Abraham’s outreach ministries, Evangelist Williams has ministered on the streets of Seattle, at the King County Correctional Facility and Terrance View Convalescent Home. She had served on the Mother’s and Ushers Board and sang in the Heavenly Host Choir. While at the Seed of Abraham, Evangelist Williams also had the opportunity over the years to accompany Pastor Bass as part of a ministry team to Mexico, London, India, Zimbabwe and Bulawayo.
A woman of grace and a passionate preacher, Evangelist Williams ministered weekly at the King County Regional Justice Center – Detention Facility in Kent, Washington. As God opened doors, she has ministered in revivals across the country. She has coordinated spiritual motivational seminars, retreats, women’s conferences, singles and marriage seminars. She had the ability to reach the masses, but also had a powerful ministry to the individual.
This renowned woman of God served as an Associate Minister at New Life Faith Christian Fellowship, in Fife, Washington under the leadership of Pastor Barry and Co-Pastor Catherine Collins, her son and daugther. In addition to being an Associate Minister, she also served as an Executive Board of Directors Member and Church Treasurer. Evangelist Williams was also an anointed gospel singer. While ministering in song under the power of God, there are those that have been healed and delivered. She was known to operate in the gifts of the Spirit as God moves upon her.
It is duly noted, that this Elect Lady, Evangelist Williams made proof of her calling as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a Mother in Zion, a conference speaker and a leader among Women. She was a faithful servant and a yielded vessel always available to be used of God. In her latter days, she loved helping in ministry, and did so by helping new churches in their endeavor. Pastor William Jones, Pastor Francis Johnson, and Pastor Calvin Robinson all benefited from her service.
She went home to be with the Lord on Sunday June 24, 2012. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sammie Lee Sims, her brother and her sister Robert & Toinette Garrett, her cousins Joel and Jackie Clinton, Robert and Moon Alexander and God Daughter, Evangelist Gayle Kyles. She is survived by her husband Clenaure J. Williams, one son Rodney(Adrienne) Carter, four daughters Charlotte (Armon) Bishop, Catherine(Barry) Collins, of Seattle and Tacoma, Washington and Yassmeen (aka Glynis) Hakeem of California, daughter in the Lord Diane Poree, ten grandchildren, Brandon(Heather) Bishop, Armon(Mary) Bishop, LaTina Green(Andre Curtis) of Los Angeles, CA, Chantell (Edward) Hill whom she raised, Clenaure(Nicole) Carter-Collins, Barry (Johnathan) Collins, Jeremiah Collins all from Tacoma, Washington, Neelam (Marcus)Hakeem, Amira Hakeem, Saudia (Elijah) Hakeem-Chin, thirteen great grandchildren, Tyler and Josh Smith, Elijah Bishop, Aundraya McCord, Armon Bishop III, Ricky Green, Andreunna, Xavier and Arianna Curtis, Tyler, Jade and Indigo Hill, Taleeyah Carter, one brother Charles Garrett of San Antonio, TX and one aunt Dottie Lee Ferrell-Smith of Denver, CO, godchildren Evangelist Rosemary Green, Minister Aiden Releford and Pastor Frances Johnson. She also leaves to cherish her memory a very close friend, Jackie Barrett and a host of relatives, friends and ministry family.
I know I have been honored and blessed to know Arzella for all the years she has come to see me. I will miss her humor and wisdom, as well as her incomprable graciousness. She loved her family and was proud of all of you. Thank you, so much, CJ, for supporting her in her in her illness and coming to her visits with me. I am thinking of all of you today.
Karen
Mom I love you and missed you so much!
Love Cathy
Grandmama me and the kids were just remembering you tonight. Looking at you bible and your notes. There will never be anotber you. Miss you so, so very much. The only comfort is knowing you are with the Father.
We love you still and always
I appreciate her warmth hospitality and teaching me how to be a lady who loves the Lord with prayer and his Word.
Mrs. Williams…
A beautiful Lady and a guiding light to me at an important time of my life.
She was essentially my Mother for a few years, but I don’t think she knew ever that.
I wish I would’ve told her.
She always gave the best advice when I needed it too … and … she was always right!
I miss You, Mrs. W! Next time we see each other, you may not recognize me though…
I’ll be wearing a Crown!
“In Times Like These…”
Love You