Uncrowned Community Builders

Emma Elizabeth Williams was born circa 1892, the daughter of George and Dinah Bailey Williams. Her parents were former slaves on the Wise Plantation.

The census records initially reported her birth month as February. I'm not sure when the month of her birth was changed, but I remember that we celebrated Mama Emma's (everyone, related or not called her by this name) birthday as April 1st. The year, as in the case of other family members is still in question, appearing as 1892, 1894 or 1896. Whatever the date (1892 seems most likely given other little details we know) Mama Emma shared it with a twin brother, Robert.

She and her twin also shared something else and that is they married another brother/sister pair. Robert married Priscilla Ellis, the younger sister of his brother-in-law, Augustus Ellis. The two families eventually moved into homes next door to each other in an area that came to be named "Kinfolks Hill".

Emma Elizabeth Williams and Augustus (aka Gus or Guss) Ellis were married on July 19, 1919. Mama Emma already had a son, Richard B. Bennett from a previous relationship with H.C. Bennett. She and Gus became the parents of three: Willie May (circa 1920); Clara Dorethea (August 5, 1921) and Oscar C. on November 26, 1922. Both Willie May and Oscar, aka O.C., predeceased their mother. Little is known about Willie May as she died while still a child, although she can be found in the 1930 census. My mother always thought that her sister died when she was about 5 or 6 years old. However, the census information leads us to believe that she was at least 10 years old and maybe older when she died.

Mama Emma died on January 7, 1964 in a hospital in New Orleans two days after she became ill. According to her obituary, she was born in Wise, Louisiana on April 1, 1894 and moved to Pineville in her early womanhood. The article goes on to say: "Mrs. Ellis was a beloved and respected citizen who in the later years of her life was affectionately known as 'Mama Emma'. She was an humble and kind Christian woman. Her death was a shock to all who knew her. Her funeral services were held Saturday, January 11 at the Good Hope Baptist Church of Smithville. Eulogies were delivered by Rev. G.C. Jacob, Rev. E.D." the rest of the obituary is cut off.

In another newspaper article, a report was made regarding the Memorial Service held for Mama Emma on January 18, 1964. "Mrs. Ellis was one that was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was one of the strong pillars of the church and one of the influential citizens of the community. She was concerned about her church her neighbors, her friends, her lodge members and just plain people. She left a life well worthy of emulation. She was a member in good and regular standing of the Good Hope Baptist Church Rev. P.M. Hall, Pastor. According to her church record she was a member of all auxiliaries in the church and was an active member in each.

She was said to be a real counselor and spiritual advisor to not only the members of her family but to the members of her church, her lodge and to the community and friends. She was a member of Bethune Chapter O.E. S., #83 of which Mrs. Mary Smith is worthy matron. She leaves to mourn one son, Rev. R.B. Bennett, one daughter, Mrs. Clara Seals of Buffalo, N.Y., one sister Mrs. Viola Williams of Pineville, and a host of relatives and friends. Interment was in Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Gonzaque Funeral Home."

What I know about my grandmother was that she was a caretaker. She was widowed at a very early age, about at the age of 31 or 32. She never remarried and raised her four young children herself. Her youngest, at the time of her husband's death, was about 6 months old. Yet throughout her life she was "mother" to so many others. She took in nieces and nephews, raised a young grandson, cared for her parents until they died and was the lifelong caretaker of her developmentally delayed sister. I think that's why she was revered as "Mama" by family and friends.