May Gwendolyn Williams was born the youngest of three children on May 22, 1937 to Adina DeClue and Rodrick Lord in Montreal, Canada. After spending her early childhood in Montreal with her older brothers, Ernest and Kenny (both pre-deceased her), May and the family moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1951. As a teenager she attended Buswick and Erasmus High Schools, graduating with a general diploma. During these teen years, May developed her sharp wit and connected with many, including her life-long friend, Margaret (Plydle) Mollison. After graduation, May began her career working for the City of New York as a stenographer. In 1960, she married Hodges Williams and had two children, Leslie and Keith. By the early 1970's May joined the New York City Board of Education as a School Office Staff member. Mid-way through the 70's Ayana joined her older sister and brother as the newest member of the family. After more than two decades of service to the Board of Education, May retired and decided to leave her beloved Brooklyn for the "Land of Enchantment", moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1996. During her retirement, May developed her love of travel and entertainment, visiting locations such as Las Vegas in Nevada, Lake Havasu in Arizona and New Orleans in Louisiana. She even braved a cross country RV trip to Pennsylvania. Her family continued to expand as grandchildren Mya and Myles were welcomed in 2006 and 2008. May will always be remembered for her commitment to preserving and supporting African American history and culture, as well as advocating for causes that impacted us all. She was a faithful woman who was a regular attendee at the House of the Lord Church in Brooklyn. More importantly, May will always be loved as a caring mother, loyal friend and a special individual. Left to celebrate May's life are her children, Leslie Williams, Keith Williams and Ayana James; Daughter-in-law, Sharon Williams; Grandchildren, Mya and Myles Williams; God-children, Lynette Mollison and Sarita Washington; and countless friends who will remember her infectious laughter and good-natured humor. "Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?" ~Henry Scott Holland. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2010 from 5 to 7 pm at Getz Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 13, 2010 at Getz Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. PDF Printable Version
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