Obituary for Helen Joyce Williamson (Nathan)
Helen Joyce Nathan-Williamson (Granny, G-Ma, Ms. Helen, Momma Helen & Lil’ Sistah), traded time for eternity and began her rest on Friday, August 4, 2023.
She was born to the late Arie Witherspoon & the late Charles Davis on September 29, 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama and at an early age was entrusted to the care of her great-great-great grandmother Sarah Abraham in Mobile, Alabama.
She was a graduate of Little Emerson, Thee Central High School (Class of 1964) and Bishop State Community College.
Helen was a faithful member of St. Joseph Baptist Church, for many years where she served as a Sunday School Teacher & a member of the nurses’ aid. She was also a loyal member-in-Christ at Little Flower Catholic Parish whereas she was given the title of the “Batholic” (Baptist & Catholic) & a devoted volunteer at Little Flower Catholic School. She worked at the Mobile Housing Board for 25 years. After her retirement from MHB, she worked in customer service at Dillard’s & because of her unceasing love for children, she worked as a para-professional for several years with the Mobile County Public School System.
Helen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, sister, God-mother & friend. She leaves to cherish her memories a loving & devoted husband of 55 years, Russell Williamson; two devoted daughters, Latonya Williamson & Joycelyn “Joy” Lang; six devoted grandchildren, Denzel Williamson-Clark, Danielle Williamson-Clark, Jordyn Williamson-Lang, Jazmyn Lang, Jaedyn Lang & Andre Lang, Jr.; one precious great-granddaughter: Khalani Skylar Lee; nine siblings, Minnie Nathan (Inglewood, CA), John Nathan (deceased), Shirley Williams (deceased), Anthony Witherspoon (Los Angeles, CA), Priscilla Luster (UT), Curtis Witherspoon (deceased), Frederick Witherspoon (Lithonia, GA), Anita Witherspoon (MI) & Roderick Witherspoon (San Diego, CA); nine devoted in-laws, Lorenna McKinnon (deceased), Ida Jean Majors, Katherine Young (deceased) & Charles (Carolyn) Williamson, John Russell-Lee (deceased), Richard (Gwendolyn) Russell, Bennie Russell (deceased), Fannie Mae Russell (deceased), Gwendolyn Powell, Deloris Stone, a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins (five devoted – Jeanette Matchett, James (Deloris) Sumpter, Mary Anne (Tony) Ibaku & Nezzie (George) Stewart), God-children (two devoted Louphelia “Fee-Fee” (Victor) Simmons & Dawn (Derrick) James) and other relatives & friends.
Although momma was an avid plant lover, in lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 / www.donate@st.jude.org) & in honor of her granddaughter, Jaedyn (T1D), to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation® (www.jdrf.org/southernstates).
God said you were getting weary,
so He did what He thought best.
He came and stood beside you,
& whispered “come take your rest.”
You bade no one a last farewell,
not even a goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it,
and only God knew why.
-Unknown
She was born to the late Arie Witherspoon & the late Charles Davis on September 29, 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama and at an early age was entrusted to the care of her great-great-great grandmother Sarah Abraham in Mobile, Alabama.
She was a graduate of Little Emerson, Thee Central High School (Class of 1964) and Bishop State Community College.
Helen was a faithful member of St. Joseph Baptist Church, for many years where she served as a Sunday School Teacher & a member of the nurses’ aid. She was also a loyal member-in-Christ at Little Flower Catholic Parish whereas she was given the title of the “Batholic” (Baptist & Catholic) & a devoted volunteer at Little Flower Catholic School. She worked at the Mobile Housing Board for 25 years. After her retirement from MHB, she worked in customer service at Dillard’s & because of her unceasing love for children, she worked as a para-professional for several years with the Mobile County Public School System.
Helen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, sister, God-mother & friend. She leaves to cherish her memories a loving & devoted husband of 55 years, Russell Williamson; two devoted daughters, Latonya Williamson & Joycelyn “Joy” Lang; six devoted grandchildren, Denzel Williamson-Clark, Danielle Williamson-Clark, Jordyn Williamson-Lang, Jazmyn Lang, Jaedyn Lang & Andre Lang, Jr.; one precious great-granddaughter: Khalani Skylar Lee; nine siblings, Minnie Nathan (Inglewood, CA), John Nathan (deceased), Shirley Williams (deceased), Anthony Witherspoon (Los Angeles, CA), Priscilla Luster (UT), Curtis Witherspoon (deceased), Frederick Witherspoon (Lithonia, GA), Anita Witherspoon (MI) & Roderick Witherspoon (San Diego, CA); nine devoted in-laws, Lorenna McKinnon (deceased), Ida Jean Majors, Katherine Young (deceased) & Charles (Carolyn) Williamson, John Russell-Lee (deceased), Richard (Gwendolyn) Russell, Bennie Russell (deceased), Fannie Mae Russell (deceased), Gwendolyn Powell, Deloris Stone, a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins (five devoted – Jeanette Matchett, James (Deloris) Sumpter, Mary Anne (Tony) Ibaku & Nezzie (George) Stewart), God-children (two devoted Louphelia “Fee-Fee” (Victor) Simmons & Dawn (Derrick) James) and other relatives & friends.
Although momma was an avid plant lover, in lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 / www.donate@st.jude.org) & in honor of her granddaughter, Jaedyn (T1D), to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation® (www.jdrf.org/southernstates).
God said you were getting weary,
so He did what He thought best.
He came and stood beside you,
& whispered “come take your rest.”
You bade no one a last farewell,
not even a goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it,
and only God knew why.
-Unknown