Eva Mae (Smith) Williams

Eva Mae (Smith) Williams (1923–2023)

Eva Mae (Smith) Williams, age 99 years and 363 days, of

Walker, MI, formerly of Shay Lake and Detroit, MI,

transitioned peacefully at home on October 20, 2023. Eva

was born October 23, 1923, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to

Reverend David C. C. Smith and Carrie Lee (Moss) Smith.

Eva accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as a young woman

and served in the ministries of the churches where her

father served as an itinerant preacher for African Methodist

Episcopal Zion Churches.

Eva married Quindell Williams, on November 12, 1941; from this union, four children

were born. Eva and Quindell were part of the Great Migration and moved their family

from Oklahoma to Detroit in 1946 in search of better employment, education, and

housing opportunities. In 1963, Eva became a Licensed Practical Nurse using her

learned skills both professionally and to care for their family. Eva and Quindell built a

summer home at Shay Lake where they hosted large family gatherings for many years,

eventually retiring to the property. Eva enjoyed many years of gardening, reading,

cooking, baking cakes, pies, and tarts, and active involvement as a Trustee at the Shay

Lake Community Church.

In 2007, Eva and Quindell moved to Grand Rapids, MI to receive care and assistance

from family. The move not only brought them quality care, but also allowed them to build

close relationships with their grand, great, and great-great-grandchildren. Eva enjoyed

her role as a Church Mother at Grace for the Nation Church guiding young women and

mothers.

When Quindell transitioned in 2011, Eva continued to reside in Grand Rapids with

companionship and assistance from family members; for the last nine years under the

care of her youngest son, Kevin. Eva’s mind, spirit, and constitution remained strong to

the very end.

Eva was preceded in death by her twelve siblings: Calarett “Cal,” Alberta “Sis,”

Frederick “Fred,” Cisco, Owen Beecher “Beech,” Mary, Dayton, Halcie, Lillian, Carrie,

Raymond, and Ruth; her beloved husband Quindell, their two sons: Larry Edward

(2001) and Clyde James (2005), and their daughter, Juanita Louise “Jai” (2021). She is

survived by one son, Kevin, one son-in-law, Charles Rice Sr., ten grandchildren, twenty-

six great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins, and friends. She was also “Gigi” to several bonus grand and great-

grandchildren. Eva will be laid to rest beside her husband at Chapel Hill Memorial

Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MI.

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