Jacqueline Joyce Williams

On Sunday, September 19, 1926, parents Emerson Robinson and Gladys Downey gave birth to their second child, Jacqueline Joyce Robinson. She joined her parents and her 6-year-old sister, Bettye Jean Robinson. They lived in Guthree, Oklahoma for a good portion of their young lives and then moved to Kansas City, Kansas where Jacqueline went to school.

Life took a lovely turn for Jacqueline Robinson when she met a handsome young man named McKinley Williams at a USO dance. Their chemistry was instantaneous, and they were married on August 19, 1944, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Jacqueline moved to Portland, Oregon with her husband McKinley in the 1940s. Jacqueline and McKinley lived in Vanport City, Oregon and were survivors of the May 30, 1948, Vanport Flood. After moving from Vanport they settled in NE Portland. They started their family, first with Royce, then Joycelyn, and finally with two little boys Timothy and Gary. They practiced their faith by joining the Catholic Church. Their family enjoyed traveling across the US in their RV, camping, and bowling. Jacqueline worked as a nurse for a brief period but preferred to be at home raising her beloved family. Jacqueline and McKinley were married for an astounding 72 years.

A few interesting facts about the early years of Jacqueline’s life. In 1926, the year of her birth, Piggly Wiggly sold a head of lettuce for 12c; 10lbs of potatoes for 69c, and gas ranged between 20-30c per gallon. The average weekly wage was about $25.00 per week. Over Aunt Jackie’s 97 years of life there were 16 US Presidents starting with Calvin Coolidge ending with President Joe Biden. She was thrilled when Barack Obama became president, saying she never thought she would see such a thing.

Jacqueline led a quiet life after McKinley’s passing. She would occasionally join her nieces and nephew for dinner, or chat with her friend Maria. She referred to her nieces, Stanlye, Stephanie, Stacy and Kim, and nephew Bill, as “family gifted to her by her beloved older sister, Bettye.” She was thankful to her very last days for her sister’s “gift” to her. When Jacqueline was no longer able to care for herself, she was cared for by wonderful care providers, Liban and Fatima, who were with her when she passed.

Jacqueline was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys; father, Emerson; sister, Bettye; her son, Royce; and her beloved husband, McKinley Williams, who passed away January 2, 2017. She is survived by her son, McKinley Timothy Williams, his wife Tina, and their son Troy; she is also survived by her granddaughter, Sazurice, who lives in Arizona; her daughter, Joycelyn Williams; son, Gary Williams; and all the children and grandchildren of her beloved sister, Bettye Jean Mitchell and husband William G. Mitchell.