Essie Lee Williams Thornton Obituary in Jackson at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

Obituary For Essie Lee Williams Thornton

The Wonderful Life of Essie Lee Williams Thornton

Essie Lee Williams Thornton was born August 10, 1931 in Canton, MS to the late Willie and Sarah Williams of Madison County, MS. She was united in holy matrimony to A.C. Williams of Canton, MS and through this union 12 children were born; 5 preceded her in death. Essie was preceded in death by her parents, 4 sisters and 5 brothers. Essie began working for the Lord after confessing Christ as her personal savior at the age of 12. Essie joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi in 1967 where she remained an active and committed member for 54 years until her transition. Essie was dedicated to serving the Lord fully. During her faithful years, Essie was President of the Trustee Board; President of the Usher Board; Vice President of the Sanctuary Choir and Sunday School teacher. She was the first one at church to open the doors with all her children before Sunday School started. Essie was also a devoted member many of other areas and various auxiliaries. She attended all church services every time the church doors were open. She had the keys to the church; therefore she opened the church because she most times she was the first one there. She enjoyed providing transportation to anyone to church or around town with her station wagon. She would drop off her children early at church, then pick up others and still be on time for church. After her mother passed, she started working around 10 years of age and helped raise her siblings. After marriage, she and her late husband managed a grocery store and a gas station at two different locations. Essie had excellent work ethics and believed in doing things right the first time. She ensured working traits were passed on to her children and grandchildren by having them work

alongside her. Later she started working for MALACO Records Inc. as their first employee. Essie’s tenure at MALACO Records ended after 40 years when she retired. Most of her grandchildren was blessed when registered by parents in Grandmas’ boot camp during summer months. Boot camp consisted such things as making up the bed before going to work at 5am, complete all daily chores, eat at all you can eat buffets, go to all church services, play after all work is done, pray, be ready for bed at 8pm. Essie enjoyed teaching children. Essie had a loud and contagious laugh. She loved talking to anyone about the word of God. She loved to live right before God. She had great love for everyone and provided guidance to everyone whenever she could. She had a great desire to see everyone delicate their life to Christ. Those who knew Essie enjoyed her godly love and free spirit. She leaves behind to cherish her memories 7 children: 1 daughter: Jacqueline Stewart of Atascocita, TX. 6 sons: Fredie (Julie) Williams Lavon, TX; John (Linda) Williams & Charles (Denise) Williams both of Jackson, MS; Jimmy (Edna) Williams Dublin, GA; James (Pamela) Williams Columbus, GA; Albert (Michelle) Williams of Houston, TX. 4 stepchildren: Jimmy Thornton; Harrison (Mary) Thornton, and Dorothy (Willie) Dotson all of Jackson, MS and Roosevelt (Gladys) Thornton of Oakwood, GA; raised 2 grandchildren: Benita (Wynnton) Ellis, and Barbara Diane Williams, both of Jackson, MS. 3 sisters: Courtney Mae Lipsey of Gary, IN; Lula Mae Eubanks of Jackson, MS; Sally Bolyjack of Austell, GA; 3 brothers: Rev. Sam (Teresa) Williams; and Frank (Mary) Williams both of Jackson, MS and Caleb (Nancy) Williams of Savannah GA. 38 grandchildren; 66 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grands; A god-daughter, Anita Lindsey of Jackson, MS and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.Funeral services will be Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Greater Antioch M.B. Church, 175 Richardson Drive, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39209.

Visitation will be Friday, September 17, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Westhaven Funeral Home and Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 10:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m., Greater Antioch M. B. Church.

Please view the link for live streaming: https://m.facebook.com/AntiochMBJackson/

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My heart and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Essie! May God continue to bless and comfort all of you! 🙏🏽 -Sandy R. Jordan

My heart weeps and rejoices with all of you, my cousins. Giving God thanks for 90 glorious years and the sweet by and by when the morning comes.God of all comfort and peace be with you one all. Love you all Lois

Mrs. Essie Williams Thorton was a Godly woman and she loved her children and other family members. She was a strong woman and determined to raise her children and grandchildren in church . She set the foundation for her family to have Christ as the forefront in their lives. She lived her life by the word of God. I am going to truly missed her but she has earned her wings in heaven. May you Rest In Peace Morher in laws. ❤️Crystal Williams

Sincere sympathies to the family of Mrs. Essie Williams Thornton. Miss Essie lived to receive the rewards of her labor. She poured into her children unmeasured love and that love she received back. May God enrich your minds with the wonderful memories of a God fearing mother. Carolyn Donald Boyd - LHS C'68

Miss Essie, although I never met you in person, it seemed I knew you for more than a decade because that's how long I've known one of your precious, loving and dedicated children, Al, who often talked about the sources of his many outstanding leadership, charity, compassion, thoughtfulness, resolve, toughness and kindness attributes. He literally and remarkably spread your teaching and parenting throughout the world, especially in South America, Africa, Australia, Asia and North America. While you're transitioning on your final journey to heaven, go knowing that you've positively impacted thousands of souls across this complex world. God bless your kind, loving soul. Joe Laymon

Essie was more than a cousin. She was a leader a mother and best friend to all who had the honor of being in her presence. This is a child of God who will be greatly missed. And I know we will see her on the other side. I thank God for her presence in my life. I miss her.

To the Williams Thornton family, I send my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family. God has called home one of his precious ANGELS. There are no words to comfort you, but let me encourage you to continue to hold on to God's comforting words and your precious memories. Lifting each of you up in prayer and sending love.
Brenda Hill Gilmore

Sympathy and love to the family of this beautiful light of God. I will miss her calls to check on me and my family.

Condolences to the Williams family. May God strengthen you as you walk this painful journey.

I met Ms. Essie through my Pastor James Williams. I've had the pleasure of visiting her home and enjoyed eating at her table. My condolences to the family and may God's peace and comfort be with you.
With Love Kimberly Hawes Columbus GA

I met Mother Thornton back in 2015 @ NEW ZION she was one of a kind,I saw her at church EVERYDAY and on some night I would attend. Her love and dedication was EVERTHING! I remember wen I didnt have the funds to support my kids with uniforms not a family member helped but Mother Thornton was there for me and my 4 and didnt exchanged words, All she wanted was my attendence at church to hear GODS word. EVERYONE know she was FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. " I SHALL WEAR A CROWN" IM MISS U! LOVE SHAMOIN BROWN CARTER

My condolences to the Williams family. Mitchell(R.I.P.) and Albert were my classmates at Rowan Junior High. Your Mom raised them to be great men. May your Mom rest in peace. My prayers are with each of you during your time of bereavement. ~Dr.Pamela(Husband) Tolliver

I met Ms. Essie in July/ 1993 and we attended the Williams family reunion in Jackson, Mississippi. My late son-in-law l, Mitchell Williams Sr was a loving man and she raised her children to love God and always had a compassion for anyone who she met. Ms. Essie was a strong woman and her faith resided with God. She will be truly be missed. Family kept the faith because God will carry you through this difficult time.

I never had the privilege of meeting this special Godly woman but feel I did. I have had the privilege of living next door to her amazing daughter Jackie and precious granddaughters Faith, Erica and April for many years. They have been wonderful neighbors. They are so kind and helpful. I feel sure Jackie is the wonderful mother to her girls as she was was raised by a wonderful mother. My heart knows heaven is sweeter now and we will see her again. Praying for peace and comfort for the family that only God can give.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the lord...Talk about a God fearing woman!! A pillar to the church, a servant of Christ, and the BACKBONE!! I remember one of your favorite songs being 'May the works I've done, speak for me'. This lady took me under her wings when I was 6 years old..I'm so glad she did.. She supported me in everything I did and didn't mind letting me know when I was wrong...For that I'm grateful...I'm the woman I am today because of her..I considered her a grandmother to me..She took up time with me..She did things for me that I could never forget and for that I'm so very thankful...Sometimes we expect some of the people in our lives to live forever, and she was definitely one of them..I'm so heartbroken and torn but I feel at ease knowing she got her business straight with the Lord!! I'll ALWAYS LOVE AND CHERISH HER FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART ❤MY DEAR LADY YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED❤ As you called me your baby Krystal ❤

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