Michelle AnnMarie Samuels-Williams

Michelle AnnMarie Samuels-Williams, a paralegal and 13 year-long resident of Texas, made her transition at home on the afternoon of June 13th, 2020, at approximately 4:15 P.M. at the age of 52 with her husband close by her side and surrounded by a household of loving family members. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents; Culbert Dean Samuels, Herma Mae Watson, and Fellmore Watson, and her sister; Francine Stephenson. She is survived by her husband; Gregory Aloysius Williams, children she helped raise; Gregory Aloysius Williams Jr. and Ijumah Niomi Patrice Williams, her sisters; Althea Samuels, Keisha Watson, and Kadean Samuels, her brothers; Padmore Samuels and Roger Stephenson, her nieces; Shenice Brown, Rosandra Stephenson, Rochelle Stephenson, Ashleigh Dewar, and Chanelle Hylton, her nephews; Matthew Stephens, Darrien Cole, Dashaun Stone, and Bryson Walters; her grand-nephew, Lux Welch; grand-niece, Rayne Carter, and a host of beloved family members, cherished friends, co-workers, church members, colleagues, and neighbors.

Michelle was born in Kingston, Jamaica on June 22, 1967 to Culbert Dean Samuels and Herma Mae Watson raised by Herma and Fellmore Watson. She graduated from Camperdown High School in Jamaica in 1984. Later she attended Alpha Business School specializing in the field of Paralegal Studies. Qualified through her education, training and experience, she went on to work as a paralegal for a respected law firm in Jamaica for various years.

Michelle was a very active and beloved member of the Franklin Town Church of God (FTCG). She grew up in the congregation and eventually gave her life to the Lord when she was baptized on March 30, 1986 making a public profession of Jesus Christ. She was also a member of the youth fellowship, the youth choir, and a member of the netball team. Fiercely loyal and competitive she also participated by running in the annual Church of God Regional Sports Day. Because of her organizational skills, and her love for young people, she eventually became the President of the Youth Fellowship.

In 1998, Michelle migrated to the United States first landing in New York, and the following year moving to Orlando, Florida. While in Florida, she continued her work as a paralegal with the State Attorney’s Office of Florida. She also thoroughly enjoyed visiting Universal Studios Orlando Theme Park as well as Disney World. In 2007, she moved to Texas working for Farmers Insurance Agency.

On November 02, 2013, Michelle married her life-long best friend, Gregory Aloysius Williams of Austin, Texas via Kingston, Jamaica gaining two beloved children, Gregory Aloysius Williams Jr. and Ijumah Niomi Patrice Williams. An Olympic-Class World-Competitor, Gregory was lovingly, divinely, and strategically in place to see Michelle through her final chapters of a five year race against cancer and her life’s marathon. Like Gregory, Michelle loved sports. She liked playing netball, softball, and watching soccer. She liked to walk exercising often on her breaks at work. She loved gospel music, and especially believed in and loved her family.

Besides school, an integral part of her life was spent at church worshipping God and interacting with her peers. She last attended Shoreline Church in Austin, Texas and she was a member of the Sisterwood Bible Study. She last attended church service on June 09, 2019 at the Potter’s House of Dallas. Earlier in her walk with the Lord, after school Michelle could be found at the church building taking part in the various fundraising events such as the walk-a-thons and the cake and bun and cheese sales. She did this to raise money for camp and the less fortunate children in the community. Methodically, Michelle structured visits to the elderly members of the church who were shut-ins and made lasting impressions on all those persons who had the pleasure of having met her.

Although she did not bear children, she had many children, including nieces, nephews, godchildren, and children of her friends. She took on the role of a mentor and was an advisor to them both spiritually and financially literally investing in their futures. She saw the importance of bringing young people to church and used her gift of netball to influence friends for God.

She was instrumental in executing the plans for the Church of God Reunion in 2015 and served as the liaison for the International Chapter of the Church of God.

The friendship bond that was formed during these years continued and remained strong until the time of her transition. She was more than a friend; she was a sister, a mother, a wife, an aunt, a beloved daughter of the Most High, a devoted church member, and a true saint of saints. This 27th day of June 2020, we ecstatically celebrate the life of Mrs. Michelle AnnMarie Samuels-Williams! To God be all the glory!