Lillian Swain - Williams

Mother Lillian Roland Swain Williams was born on March 30, 1921 to the late Charlie and Genetta Roland; the oldest of nine children, in Caldwell County, Texas. She was educated in Dale County Independent School District and excelled in basketball, track and baseball. Mother Lillian accepted Christ at a very early age at the St. John Regular Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member and served faithfully in Sunday School and the Church Choir. Sister Lillian met and married the late James ‘JD’ Daniel Swain, and together they walked with God and raised nine children.

In 1948, Lillian moved with her husband to Austin, Texas where she joined the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. Hansbury. There, she continued serving the Lord and became a powerful prayer warrior.

Throughout her life, Mother Lillian always kept her trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and depended on Him in raising her nine beautiful children. As a devoted wife and mother, she became an entrepreneur and business woman, was a head chef, a director of baking (known for her famous hot rolls and biscuits), a supervisor of the youth labor force, and teacher of youth development. She dearly loved being a health care provider and enjoyed serving and helping others. Later in life, she became the owner of Dream World Fashion in South Austin after the death of her second husband, Deacon Shed Williams.

For the last fifteen years, she lived in Southfield, MI with her daughter Louise and son-in-law Jesse Petway. There she joined True Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of her son, Pastor Carl Swain. She also lived with her daughter Cherry and spent her final precious time in Austin, TX with her. Mother Lillian loved visitors and always had a good story to tell, advice to give, or a joke to share. Most important is that she shared her love of Jesus with everyone she spoke to.

Mother Lillian Roland Swain-Williams was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Levi Roland, Lee Lewis Roland, and Joe Lewis Roland; two sisters, Selester R. Miller and Bernice R. Harris. She leaves to cherish her memories six sons; Rev James Lessly Swain (Shirley), Rev. Carl Swain (Gwendolyn), and Harlen Swain, all of Detroit, MI, Freddie Swain, Joel Swain and Larry Swain (Janice) all of Austin, TX; three daughters: Lisa Swain, Lillian Louise Petway (Jesse) all of Detroit, MI, and Cherry Swain of Hutto, TX; one sister Leesther Robinson of Chicago, Il, two brothers, Jimmie Roland (Mandy) of AZ, and John Henry Roland of Austin, TX. Sisters-in-law included Sandra Roland, Charlotte Roland & Doris Roland. Mother Lillian loved life and was blessed with 23 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, and friends.

To share memories of Mother Lillian with her family, please visit her memorial page at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com