Uncrowned Community Builders

Biography appears in Uncrowned Queens: African American Women Community Builders of WNY, Volume III

Eva Williams was born on March 28, 1951. Her mother and father were Bernice and Albert Nelson. She had a brother Robert and a sister. Her sister Tonya is deceased. Eva was born with congenital pulmonic stenosis. An early diagnosis was that she wouldn't live past a day. However, in 1961, she had experimental open heart surgery. Of the three children who had the surgery, Eva was the only one to survive. Through her many trials and tribulations with this condition, Eva continued her deep faith and continued to do the work she was destined to do.

Mrs. Williams attended the BuffÃ?­alo Public Schools and graduÃ?­ated from East High School. She earned an Associateââ?¬â?¢s degree from Bryant and Stratton and also attended University at Buffalo in Communications. In 1970, she married Jerome Anthony Williams with whom she had six children. She had been told earlier that she could never have any children because the strain would be too much for her heart. Undaunted by this news, she was able to raise six healthy, eduÃ?­cated and respectable children and she was proud of each. Even with her six children, Eva had love for others. She had two adopted children; one is a young man who sings in the group New Beginnings. She calls him her spiritual son. She also adopted another young woman, who came to spend the night with her children and stayed for 17 years.

One of her major life goals was raising and supporting her famÃ?­ily in a way that would be pleasÃ?­ing to God. Financial support came through hard work and dedication. She had many jobs, often described as ââ?¬Å?secretary to the world.ââ?¬ Her last job was as a Housing Aide with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. In this position, as in all others, she was able to spread the love of God by her sweet, quiet spirit. Even in the presence of screaming, angry and irratioÃ?­nal tenants and co-workers, she was able to allow the Holy Spirit to use her to bring peace to any situation.

Mrs. Williams' faith was tested in 2002, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. DeÃ?­spite this news she continued to work with various choirs in Western New York. She traveled on a cruise to the Bahamas and took a four-day bus tour with the Western New York Chapter Choir. She also sang on the New Beginnings CD recording, "I Just Want to Praise Him." Eva is featured on two of the songs. Not only did she sing, she also insisted that all of her children sing. In 1999 she formed the family singing group called the Williams Ensemble. The group included her six children, the adopted son and her grandson who plays the drums. They sang at concerts in Buffalo and other areas of Western New York

She never gave up the faith. During this difficult time she said, "I'll Either Get My Miracle, Or God Will Give Me My Promotion." Eva was a very active and very spiritual church woman. Her most current membership was with the JW Loguen MeÃ?­morial AME Zion Church, under the Pastorate of the Rev. James A. Lewis, III. She and Rev. Lewis graduated from high school together. At Loguen, she served as the President of the Mass Choir; Church Clerk; Class Leader; Harriet Tubman worker; Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Lay Council; Home Mission Society, and Women's Home & Overseas Missionary Society.

Eva liked to sew and she loved reading romance novels. She also wrote poems and one that her daughters remember is ââ?¬Å?Black People Have Come a Mighty Long Way.ââ?¬ She was quite a traveler. She traveled all over the United States. She also traveled to Dortman, Germany, a Buffalo Sister City.

Eva was also a member of numerous musical groups including Deliverance; Central City; 300 Voices for Jesse Jackson; the Hemphill Interdenominational Gospel and Senior Choirs; The Western New York Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America; the Buffalo Philharmonic Outreach Choir; and the Voices of Methodism. She was also a member, for 23 years, of the New Beginning Chorale Ensemble, and her family Choir, The Williams Ensemble. Eva received numerous recognitions and there were benefits held in her honor, especially the Hallelujah Anyhow Benefit.