Epitome of Love

Celebration of Life

Hattie Dora Margaret Williams Jones

Dawn: July 3rd, 1950 -  Dusk: October 20th, 2022

Love is Patient...

Love is Kind...

Love does not seek its own way...

Love bears all things...

Among the incredible things that 1 Corinthians outlines love to be,  to her family,

Love is....H.A.T.T.I.E.

Rapid changes could be seen and felt during the 1950's. Such changes  included family migrations to suburban areas; President Truman dispatches troops to Vietnam; the first credit card was invented, and The Flamingos harmoniously proclaimed that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, with the chart topping "I Only Have Eyes For You."  Just a day shy of the 4th of July, Hattie made her debut into the world and into the hearts of her family members.

Such a unique and unequivocally genuine soul as she, Hattie Dora Margaret Williams was born to the late Charles and Caroline  Williams in Hemingway , South Carolina.

A hometown girl and one of four daughters, Hattie was educated through the North  Carolina Education System and graduated from Carver High School .  While attending  High School, Hattie was an avid tennis player and volunteered as a Candy Striper at a local hospital.  She was an upstanding student and written in her High School Yearbook was her self-proclaimed motto that, "Honesty is the best policy." This statement rang true not just academically but is a testament to who she was at her core.

And that was a woman of integrity.

Not long after graduation, Hattie undertook college courses at a local Business College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was a medical lab technician and nursing assistant at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital and Forsyth Memorial Hospital. After dedicating several years of healthcare services , Hattie began her career with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Hattie retired from the second largest tobacco company in the U.S., after proudly providing for her family and serving in her community for many years.

A woman of strong faith, Hattie always encouraged her children  to "Pray fervently in faith", "See those things that be not as though they are", and "To speak what you want into existence." Hattie boldly proclaimed, " I take God at His Word!" Her belief in Christ as her Savior kept Hattie grounded while being surrounded by her family was what kept her young at heart and playful in Spirit. When you were loved by Hattie as one of her own, you were officially a Bookahboo as she affectionately called any of her babies.

"I always loved being a mother, " Hattie said. And what a loving mother she was, as her daughters, Andrea, Jamica and Deneen fondly recall. '"You are a Princess,' is what she told us", said Andrea.

But make no mistake. Hattie was equally stern and fair as she was loving and nurturing.  "If mama caught you misbehaving, you'd get a speech that ended with  " Look me in the eye...now would God be pleased with what you just said or did?",  recalls daughter Andrea,  reflecting on times of Hattie's correction and motherly guidance. For such a Godly woman as Hattie, her children would've rather endured a momentary whooping, than to disappoint their Mom.  It was a priority for her family to not only be exposed to God's word, but to KNOW it!  "If you can go to the club, you can go to church...get up and GET DRESSED!"

Always positive in every way, Hattie lived by the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have them to do unto you. She strongly believed that in love and in life, there was somebody for everybody. She believed wholeheartedly in not judging others for the things they did, as someone else has done it, too. Hattie was ALWAYS positive, and her signature style was she always wore a smile.  She had her own way of talking to you. If you were in her company long enough, you grew accustomed to the Hattie-isms that she used to express herself.

Not one for harsh words, but if you heard a "Dog FIYAH!" uttered,  the possibility of getting the "fire smacked out of you" was imminent.  "Don't cha? (Oh you don't like that?), I hope do (I sure hope so) and put your back into it! (used to signal Hattie is getting ready to bust a move on the dance floor) were common Hattie'isms that could be heard at any time.  And whether she was expertly sewing a garment or baking pound cakes that were like manna from heaven,  Hattie was at her best in her element and that was being the loving grandmother, doting and proud mother, cheerful friend and supportive encourager. Hattie LOVED every one  of her family members, in every way.

With a voice  that was low and steady with a slight country drawl ,  Hattie would command your attention whenever she entered a room. And her easy laugh was as warm as the hugs she gave whenever she embraced you. Receiving a hug from Hattie was like Heaven itself being wrapped around you.

Her formidable spirit, wise words and genuine humility drew you in like a magnet and in her heart, you remained.  Hattie is preceded amongst the heavenly hosts by her parents, the late Charles and Caroline Williams; and sisters, Floretha (Williams)Cooper and Willer Mae (Williams) Johnson.

Remaining to honor her legacy are daughters, Andrea, Jamica (Nathaniel) and Deneen; sister, Gloria (Cecil); grandchildren, A'Kyla( Charles) and Joshua; great grandson, Aiden; childhood best friends, Beatie Malone and Trina Thomas; devoted cousin, Rosa Barr; longtime friend, Martha K. Gullick; and a host of nieces, nephews, close family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10:30 until 11:00am on Saturday at the Chapel.