I know it is hard but don’t cry for me. I am okay. I packed a lot of life into 22 years. Mom and Pops, I know how excited you were when I was born on the 21st of May in 1996.
And then, when I was four months old, you added Mom Jasmine to my life, giving me a whole other family.
The memories I have of growing up will stay with me forever. I loved playing outside, driving my electric car around our cul-de-sac and eating at Ryan’s Steakhouse. And I really loved skateboarding. I will always cherish the times I watched boxing and football and basketball games. I will cherish the times we saw the Texans’ play. You guys taught me how to be independent and that came in handy when I taught myself how to drive a stick. I will really miss the home cooking and the ribbing me about my hair (lol). I will never forget the fun I had on my last birthday. Don’t cry for me. I’m okay.
I will miss the times spent swimming in the pool, playing video games, riding our bikes, and playing basketball. The hours we spent playing Jenga and Clue and Monopoly as a family, especially the times I won! I will never forget all the times we drove to Louisiana for 4th of July. I will also never forget the trips to California, going to Lake Tahoe, and spending Thanksgiving and Christmas between Granny’s and Mimi Kelli’s house.
I’ll remember going to Pier 39 and riding down the crookedest street in the world in San Francisco; visiting LA and Philadelphia; there was the Thanksgiving spent in New Jersey; the trip taking the subway to Harlem in New York; going to the amusement parks in San Antonio and Dallas, and eating at every Cracker Barrel between Texas and Alabama.
During summers, I played league basketball. At Albright Middle School, I played football and at Alief Hastings High School, I played baseball. I’ll remember my first unofficial job at Life Houston and my first official job at Red Lobster.
Don’t cry for me. I could feel your pride when I graduated cum laude from high school and received my acceptance letters to college.
I’ll never forget the fun I had with my crew!
Don’t cry for me, for I am not alone. I am surrounded by loved ones who passed before me.
To my parents, Glenn and Arlacia Williams and Jasmine Williams, thank you for demonstrating that love and family are not solely defined by blood. To my sister Natalee and her husband DeVares, my brother Nate and his finance, Briauna and my brother Gerrell, I will never forget you. To my great-grandmother, Lois Collins, I love you. To granny Beatrice McDonald and my Honey, PJ Ballard, you were the best grandmothers. My uncles and aunts, Gerald and Rosetta Williams, Anthony and Paula McDonald, Vincant Williams, Cynthia and Johnnie Clark, Teresa McDonald and Curtis Jones, Kelli and Mario Caro, and DeLoria and Donnell White, you are the best! And to my nieces Serenitee and Sameera and nephew DeeMani, you were the best part of waking up every day. To my niece Ari Brielle who will be born in February, I will be looking over you. And to my many great aunts and uncles and cousins and friends, each of you made my life extra special.
Don’t cry for me, this is not the end. Although I leave you behind, we will meet again.
Always remember the love of family is life’s greatest blessing!
A celebration of life for Glennell will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Williams family.
