Mildred Williams

On February 23, 1930, a true diva, Mildred McKinley was born to the late Wornie Willis and Chester McKinley in Fort Gaines, Georgia. She relocated to Pahokee, Florida as a young girl. She graduated from Everglades Vocational High School and was very athletic. She was a star basketball player, ran track, and was a cheerleader. She moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania briefly before relocating to Clewiston, Florida where she met her husband John O. Williams Sr. She was blessed with 4 children – Joan, Judy, John Jr., and Janice.

After visiting her brother Eddie McKinley, she moved to Auburn, New York in 1963, where she begun the second part of her life with her children and in her career with General Electric, where she worked and coined her favorite line, “I ain’t worked since ’89!” She made Auburn her home for 30 years; where she never met a stranger. To the town of Auburn, Mildred staked her claim in the community and was a legend, an icon. One thing she loved was her garden and beautiful flowers. She was known for making everyone she knew or walked by her yard, work in her garden. She became everyone’s “AUNT” and “BIG MA.” She was a member of Roosevelt Memorial Baptist Church, and was a faithful servant of God.

She later relocated again to College Park, GA in 1993, where she became a member of Christian Missionary Baptist Church. She served as a member of the Mother Board. She quickly became of fan of Atlanta sports, loving the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Atlanta Braves. Faithfully watching the Atlanta Hawks games every evening with her granddaughter, Andrea. She loved to attend and support her grandchildren at their sporting events and graduations. She truly enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with her loved ones. Just like her time in Auburn, she adopted family from Atlanta and became everyone’s Aunt Mildred, Mother Williams, and grandma.

To know Mildred was to love her. She was into fashion, different styled hats, nails, and her hair! You couldn’t tell her nothing when it came to being a diva. She loved music and grooving with her family and friends at events. She was known as feisty… I mean she gave it to you straight, but she was the most selfless person in the world filled with love to give everyone.

She departed this earth on March 23, 2025, at the age of 95. She peacefully took her place on the throne and entered the pearly gates of Heaven, where she was met by all of her loved ones.

She was predeceased by her parents, Wornie Willis and Chester McKinley. Her daughters, Joan Williams and Judy Williams-Hanks. Her granddaughter, JudyAnn Daniels. Her siblings, Annie Letha Hilary, Eddie McKinley, Jack McKinley, Isaac (John) McKinley, Georgia Davis, Benny Nelson, Gladys Nelson. She leaves to cherish a lifetime of memories: Her children, John O Williams Jr., Janice Daniels, Andrea Hanks. Her Godson, Tracey Williams. Her adopted son in Christ, Sammy Swift. Her sister, Christine Dennison, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, several nieces, and nephews, and friends that became family.

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