Vera Serinia Williams of Houston, TX. peacefully departed this life on Sunday, September 30, 2018.

Vera was the only child born to Charles Wickware and Anna Louise Grays in Detroit, Michigan on June 21, 1927. Vera received her education through the Detroit Public School Community District, where in 1944, she graduated high school with honors. She was an educator, philanthropist, and mentor to many. Her love for children and young adults predestined what would be an extraordinary career path.
On July 31, 1948, she married the love of her life, Rev. Samuel G. Williams, III of Houston, TX. To this union, four children were born: Samuel, IV, Denise, Stephen, and Anthony.

After high school, she immediately began her career. Vera was known for her impeccable work ethic and independence. She lost her mother at the age of 12 and began working at an early age to support herself. Her most fulfilling work was through daycare center operations and management. For over 15 years, she served as Program Director and Hiring Manager. Vera enjoyed orchestrating children’s plays, programs, and developing curriculum and training materials for daycare instructors. From 1986 to 1989, Vera served as Social Services Liaison for Neighborhood Centers. In 1996, Vera retired from The Covenant House, where she managed incoming residents. Her work involved assisting countless troubled and homeless teens in finding work and their place in the world. Vera had a genuine love for her clients, to whom she was a second mother. Vera loved cooking and was a trained singer and pianist. She had a teacher’s heart, was extremely creative and had an amazing green thumb. She also loved animals. Every morning birds would flock to her feet as she fed them.Vera accepted Christ at an early age and spread The Gospel throughout her journey. The Lord guided her to serve many congregations, including, St. Agnes Baptist Church and Bissonnet Baptist Church, where she served as the Children’s Ministry Director and Daycare Manager. Vera was an exceptional woman and in 2017, celebrated her 90th birthday. On this day, her family crowned her “Queen Vera” and today, we honor her memory.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Annie Wickware, husband, Rev. Samuel Green Williams, III, son Samuel “Sammy” Green Williams, IV, and recently, her devoted daughter, Denise Annette Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memories her loving sons, Stephen “Steve” Garland Williams and Anthony “Tony” Cordell Williams, granddaughters Raquel Lynique Gray and Crystal Joi Allen (Charles), grandsons Shae Cobb Williams and Tonio Marcele’ Williams, four great-grandchildren Blake Lorenzo Gray, Taylor Courtland Gray, Sterling Grayson Gray and Celeste Jiselle Allen, and one great-great granddaughter, Indie Gray. Along with a host of close cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.


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