If you are reading this my work on earth is done, and I am sleeping in Jesus, my final rest. God has been good to me. I was born in a small town in Mississippi called Barlow to the parents of Johnnie Wiliams and Ola Mae Thrasher. My birth year was 1941, March 18th. As a young girl, I went to grade school in Burnol, Mississippi, then went to Bowman High School for a short time. I dropped out of high school, and with no jobs available, the opportunity arose, and I came to Portland, Oregon. God sent me a good husband, and I met and married Mr. Major Leo Williams. He sent for my young son from Mississippi, and God blessed us to have four more children. We were very happy, poor but very happy together. After many years, he became ill.
I had to go to work. As a young woman hard work was not new to me. From the cotton fields of Mississippi, to elevate girl, to a cook in a restaurant, and then working in laundry. The Lord has been good to me. Finally, after many years, I got a job at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital as a nurse's aide, and I also received my GED certificate, after 5 years of enjoying my job at Legacy Hospital. I went back to school. I attended Mt Hood Community College to receive my certification to work as a unit secretary. I was the unit secretary for 38 years.
After many good-loving years, God saw fit to call Mr. Major Leo Williams home to rest. I missed him so much. He was a good, patient husband and a good father to his children. I still miss you, honey, even as I write my obituary; I have tears of sadness. Rest in Peace, my beloved husband.
Then, in 1983, many years after, 11 years after Mr. Williams, God sent me another good Christian husband, Mr. George P. McSwain. He loved my children as his own. We loved each other. We had many good years together, and then God called him home.
Thank God for my Christian education. I have always believed in God, even as a young girl praying at midnight and not knowing or understanding the scripture, but knowing that if I talked to God, he would hear me. You see, I had given my heart to Jesus as a young girl and came to Portland, Oregon, joining up with Philadelphia M.B. Church and Emmanuel Temple Church, being taught by two great pastors, Rev. BM McSwain, and Bishop AA Wells, and studying the Bible; I understand what God was saying to me. I also attended the AL Hardy Academy School of Theology and completed my Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master's degrees in Theology.
I love my church, and I thank God for allowing me to be part of such beautiful and dynamic worship.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. My Children:
Son, Earl L. Williams (deceased)
Daughter, Genetta Williams (deceased)
Son, Pastor Michael Williams (deceased),
Daughter-in-law, Teresa Williams
Daughter, Mssn. Genella Ware, son-in-law, Kaman
Ware (deceased)
Son, Deacon Orlando Williams, daughter-in-law
Nicole Williams
God Children, Dianne and Rev.Leonard Lamberth
I am the 4th child of ten brothers and sisters
Hardie Lee Williams (deceased)
RB Williams (deceased), wife, Lucille Williams
Joe Williams
LJ Larry Williams (deceased), wife, Ruby Williams
Bennie Williams
Pastor James Wiliams
Martha Lewis (deceased)
Maxine Jones, Pastor Jessie Jones
Evangelist Geneva Jones
I have 19 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren. I have a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
I love you all. Always put God first in your lives, and always pray.
Mary Ola McSwain
