Thelma Elinor Hall Williams R.N.

On October 18, 1925, in Iron City, Georgia. Theresa and Arthur Hall brought forth an incredible baby girl, Thelma Elinor Cornelia Hall. Thelma was the second child born of this union; first there was Eugene Clarence Hall, then Thelma, and then Arthur Ree who died as an infant. The Hall Family moved to Jacksonville, FL where their lives rooted and prospered. Thelma graduated from Boylin Haven High School in Jacksonville, Florida @1942. Eugene predeceased Thelma.

Thelma had committed her life to THE LORD at a very young age. She attended church in Jacksonville, FL with her Mother, Theresa H. Wilson, and sang in the choir. After she finished high school, the Country was active in WW-II. She attended an Army workshop recruiting women. She signed up for the nurses' corps, but the War concluded. She left Jacksonville and went to Washington, D.C. in 1945 to continue her education.

Thelma attained her certification as a Registered Nurse from Freedman’s Hospital School of Nursing which is now Howard University in 1948. She also had the pleasure of working under Dr. Charles Drew, Medical Director, who was the physician who pioneered transfusions and blood storage. Thelma also had the pleasure of meeting Mary McCleod Bethune while studying at Florida Normal and Industrial College in St. Augustine, FL.

In 1949, Cecil Raymond Williams married Thelma to which three children were born: Theresa, Raymond, and Hall. As the children grew up, she later received a BSN from Loyola University, Chicago, IL in 1959 and commenced work on her Masters program, but family and life interrupted those studies. Thelma had served as a nurse in several areas: a peds/neonatal/floor nurse at Mt. Saini Hospital, Chicago, IL, and as a school nurse for the Chicago Public Schools.

Thelma had traveled this World as a travel agent and because she loved God's Creation and wanted to see as much of it as she could she visited: Africa, Australia, The Caribbean, France, London, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Singapore, Jamaica, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Alaska, and all over the United States. Thelma's life was nothing short of remarkable.

After life changes, Thelma left Chicago and returned to Jacksonville, FL to care for her Mother. While living there, Thelma worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a Utilization & Review Specialist and traveled the State of Florida and some territories in Georgia.

During this time, Thelma had the opportunity of uniting with her two half-sisters, Kimberly Francois of Jacksonville, Florida and Barbara Ducker of Sacramento, California. She also had a half-brother, Ronald Hall, who lived in Austria and worked as a translator for the United Nations.

After her Mother transitioned to be with The LORD, Thelma decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona where her daughter, Tree, and Raymond, her son and their families resided. She continued her nursing career and was a school nurse for the Phoenix Elementary School District for a short time after her arrival to Arizona. After a brief time with the school district, she worked at the Arizona State Prison in the Forensics Unit. She then transitioned to the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) to return to her first love as a psychiatric nurse.

Thelma joined the Salt of the Earth Baptist Church under the tutelage of Pastor Claudell Miles and his successor, Dr. Jerry W. Hillman and served as a faithful member for over 35 years. She served as the church nurse, church treasurer and usher (prn), and on the hospitality and benevolence committees. She helped in the church district health fairs with Zion Rest District and South Phoenix Baptist Church and helped to feed the homeless, distributed food boxes and other charitable events as sponsored by the Zion Rest District and SOTE.

Thelma was always active in the community in Chicago and upon her arrival to Phoenix, she continued to serve the community tirelessly. In 2018, the Arizona State Board of Nursing confirmed that Thelma Hall Williams, R.N., was the oldest working RN in the State of Arizona and second oldest in the Country. The windows of Heaven opened and Thelma was invited to speak at several distinguished organization events and received several awards for her service in the community both in Chicago and here in Arizona:

 MLK Community Service Award, 2019, Phoenix, Arizona

 Love Images Willing Inspiration Nurse Award (W.I.N.), 2019, Phoenix, Arizona

 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Iota Chapter, Basileus' Service Award, November, 2019, Phoenix, Arizona

 National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Health Legend Award, 2019, Phoenix, Arizona

 Gamma Phi Delta, Gamma Theta Chapter Humanitarian Award, 1994, Phoenix, Arizona.

 Black Nurses Association Award, Phoenix, Arizona, 1988

 Lambda Phi Alpha Nurses Sorority, Beta Mu Chapter President, Chicago, Illinois, Celebration Award 1972-1974

At Arizona State Hospital, she successfully supervised the department which assisted the soon to be discharged patients in "remission" to prepare for reentry into society. To this day, several of those former patients stayed in contact with Thelma. Many of her colleagues at ASH called to extend greetings from patients with whom she worked even after she retired in 2019. She remained in close contact with several staff and patients. She started a prayer group with many of the patients and colleagues at the Hospital, and as a result, saw remarkable changes in so many of the patients' and staff's lives.

Thelma stated in one of her speeches:

"My community concerns have always led to various programs toward helping any persons with mental illness. I even “adopted” a daughter who was mentally ill and her two children remain very active in my life and that of my family, since their mother’s passing. I have worked with many mentally ill people in confidential situations, in the prison system, and through church programs. My current position with the Arizona State Hospital is working with patients who are now in “remission” and being prepared for discharge by counseling them in activities of daily living, importance of maintaining medication regimen and other life skills. I love my job and believe my calling was to help the mentally ill.

It has been an exciting adventure over the past 72 years of nursing to witness marvelous technology such as organ transplants, biomechanical engineering of limbs, significant medicinal advancements for the mentally ill so they can now be discharged in “remission.” This was not always the case, as many patients wore the title of “crazy” for the remainder of their lives.

I love nursing and reflect on the tremendous gains medicine has made for mankind; physiologically and mentally. All Praise to God!"

Thelma has left a nursing legacy. At the time she was awarded the service awards, she was 92 years of age and continued to work at the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) for over 30 years until she was 94, at which time, she had to retire due to medical reasons. As many of you know, whenever you spoke with her, she would tell you that she would still be working if she was physically able to do so. She loved her career as a nurse and it showed.

Thelma served faithfully for several years as a pollster and worked with the Arizona Voters during several elections. She believed in exercising voting rights and assisted many, even those who were confined in nursing homes and hospitals, to get their votes in timely.

Thelma's next passion was education and opportunities for any young person to attain a medical career. As a tradition to her own grandchildren, those who received a Masters degree or higher, she would award them a diamond ring to celebrate their educational success. As their Granny and GG, she purchased computers, tuition, books, everything to assist each and every one of her grands and great grands with their educational needs. She even gave the "South Phoenix Hummer" her favorite automobile, to one of her granddaughters. Thelma's passion was so great that she has established under the Thelma Elinor Hall Williams, R.N. Trust, a scholarship fund to help any student who wishes to attain a career in the medical field as a physician, R.N., medical assistant, CNA, or medical technician in any field.

Accordingly, Thelma requested that in lieu of flowers, please make an annual contribution to: Love Images at: https://loveimagesorganization.com/.

Thelma leaves to mourn her sisters, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and cousins:

Sisters: Kimberly Francois (Scott), Jacksonville, FL and Barbara Ducker, Sacramento, CA.

Theresa "Tree" Hale (Ron): Calicia; Christopher Jauron (Staci); Ronnie Earl; James; LuFonda; Lowana (Darryl); totaling Thelma's 18 grands and 9 great grands.

Raymond (Delores): Raven, Nadia (Lee), Dominique, Sierra, Rydell, Savanah, Solomon, totaling Thelma's 7 grands and 5 great grands.

Hall (Shannon): Marlo and his four children, Lelani, Marleah, Alexus and Marquis; Danielle (Denzel) and their two children; Isiah; Janoah and her one son, totaling Thelma's 4 grands, 7 great grands.

Thelma's adopted daughter, Joy Renee Stevens and her two children, Shawna Stevens and Preston Scott Stevens and their 4 children, totaling Thelma's 4 greats.

In addition to those mentioned above, Thelma leaves to mourn a host of cousins, throughout the State of Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas; and especially Delphine, who lived with Thelma when Delphine returned from her teaching career in Saudi Arabia. Thelma loved participating in her sorority with the sisters of Gamma Phi Delta, Gamma Theta Chapter, the ASH Team, and socialized with her many, many friends who should rejoice in the memories that they shared with Thelma.

Lastly, Thelma leaves her dearest friends of 72 years: Eula Mitchell (96) of Chicago, Illinois, and "My Mamma," Pastor Elizabeth White who is 99 years of age and Teacher Allen of Temple, Texas who is 107 years of age. They were great friends and because Teacher White was older, she called Thelma "Her Baby." It was always great joy and laughter because Thelma told everyone younger than she, "You're just a baby." Over the years, Mama White adopted Thelma as "Her Baby" and she read the Scripture Reading in tribute to their Mother/Daughter relationship! All Praises to GOD!

Thelma insists that if there are tears, shed tears of JOY and HAPPINESS because it was well with her soul when she left this Earth and she now rests in the Presence of the Almighty YAH, Our LORD and Savior Jesus The Christ! HALLELUJAH and AMEN!!!

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Thelma Hall Williams, R.N. Scholarship Fund at Love Images Organization cited above. Thank you!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Williams family.

Active Pallbearers:

Raymond Williams

Hall Williams

Christopher Jauron White

Carmayne White

Solomon Williams

Ron Hale

Honorary:

Marlo Hills

Lee Chang

Darryl Hardy

Shamar Moreland

Preston Scott Stevens

Aidan Stevens

Acknowledgement:

The Williams/Hale Family felt your prayers and love. We know that our Mother, our wonderful Matriarch of the Williams-Jenkins Clan, will be missed by so many. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your expressions of love and generosity during this tough time. Although most of us know that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of The LORD, we can all joyfully celebrate the life of Thelma Elinor Hall Williams, R.N.'s most wonderful life through our memories despite the pain of her absence.