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CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011 LINCOLN RECREATION CENTER 1000 ELEANOR STREET COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
Every person in the world is a special creation of God. However, there are some people who are contagious to be around. They almost grab your heart instantly. They are magnetic and you
are drawn to their love for the Lord, their positive attitude and their overflowing words of encouragement and thanks to you. They come into your life and you feel totally blessed. Blessed
because every contact with them leaves you feeling better about yourself, better about life and motivated to conquer the world. Eleanor Joyce Williams was that woman Eleanor embodied
the spirit that former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan described as “Texas is more than a place. It is a frame of mind. A Texan believes that the individual is powerful. Texas has that
rugged individualism, the feeling, that I, as an individual can accomplish whatever I want and that there are no limits…” Eleanor was a builder of bridges. In the early sixties when
woman entering into non-traditional jobs in the Federal Aviation Administration was not seriously considered, Eleanor became the First Black Female Air Traffic Controller Specialist
at the Anchorage Air route Traffic Control Center in Anchorage, Alaska. She achieved respect as a professional, as well as a lady the old fashion way, she earned it. As her best friend
LaVerne F. Collins-Reid put it, “She did not just do a job; she did an outstanding job while balancing the multiple roles – -a caring mother of seven; a self-developing student; an involved
citizen in the community; and a history making air traffic controller. Eleanor paved the way for and inspired many who knew her personally, and many more who only knew her accomplishments.”
Eleanor attributed that success to her was her unshakable faith in God, a deep understanding of herself and a strong belief in the potential and value of family that extended to all
people. She was a divorced mother of seven, a foster mother, and a grandmother. What A Woman A Creator of Opportunities, A Pursuer of Personal and Professional Goals Eleanor Joyce Williams
was that woman To be an influential player in the midst of a dramatic and complex period in history To balance family, work, and community life in a variety of cultures and circumstances.
To build collaborative relationships To inspire and motivate people of all ages, to become all they are capable of being. To excel in the face of what many would call overwhelming odds
To encourage Western and Northwest Airlines in 1972, along with Loretta Bridgeforth, to relax restrictions that formerly prohibited FAA women employees from participating in familiarization
flights. To promote the social and economic benefits of diversity
Eleanor’s Lifetime Accomplishments More Than 30 Years with the Federal Aviation Administration (1965-1997) 1965 started federal career as a Gs-4, clerk stenographer, in Anchorage, Alaska
1971 became the first African American woman to certify as an air traffic control specialist, at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), for the Federal Aviation Administration.
1975-76 held the position of union representative at Anchorage ARTCC. 1976-93 climbed the success ladder through a series of air traffic control positions in: Anchorage, Alaska; San
Juan, Puerto Rico; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; and Kansas City, Missouri. 1994 selected to become the first African American woman manager of an en-route air traffic control
center, at the Cleveland ARTCC, Oberlin, Ohio--the nation's second busiest en-route air traffic control facility. 1997 transitioned from air traffic control to an executive management
position, for the regional administrator, at FAA Great Lakes Regional Office, Chicago, Illinois. 2011 Inducted into the Black Aviation Hall of Fame
Awards & Recognitions 1985 Department of Transportation Secretary’s Award for Excellence in EEO 1990 Women in Management Delegate with people to People Intonation to the USSR 1991 National
Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees C. Alfred Anderson Award 1994 FAA Central Region – Paul K. Bohr Leadership Award 1996 Vice President Al Gore’s Hammer Award 1998 Regional
IX Blacks in government Executives in Profile Award 1999 Lincoln Former Students Association, Outstanding Service Award 2001 Texas Youth Advocate of the Year by Commission of Alcohol
& Drug Abuse 2006 North to the Future BPW Club’s Woman of the Year 2007 Bessie Colman Foundation Fly Sister Fly Award 2011 Proclamation of the Bronze Eagle renamed the Eleanor J. Williams
Bronze Eagle Award Listed in: The 104th Congressional Record Who’s Who in the World Who’s Who in America Who’s Who of American Women To try to list all of Eleanor’s accomplishments and
awards would be futile, but we listed a few so that she would be honored…...
Order of Service Musical Prelude Processional Officiating…………………………………………………. ……..Rev. A. C. Clark Song………………………...…………………………………..Sis. Betty Franklin Old Testament Reading………..……………………………….
Rev. Lee B. Groce New Testament Reading………………………………………... Rev. E. E. Garvin Prayer…………………………...………………………………..Pastor Perry Ellis Song (s) …………………………...…..…Past Lincoln High School Student
Choir Piano Accompanist -Jean Clark Reflections (2 minutes each please) Poem…………………………………...…………………………..Aleathia Bailey Resolutions Eulogy………………………………..…………………………...Rev. Samuel Hill
Song………………………………..…….Past Lincoln High School Student Choir Walk Around Heaven All Day Recessional…………..…………….…………………...Daniel and Sons Mortuary Repast will be at Lincoln Recreation
Center Interment is at Roan Chapel Cemetery, in College Station, Texas where she will be laid to rest with her grandson Marcus Larry Watkins.
Our Mother
Obituary Eleanor Joyce Toliver-Williams, went home to be with the Lord in College Station, Texas on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 surrounded by loved ones. Eleanor was born December 21,
1936 to Jack and Viola Ford-Toliver, in Texas. Eleanor accepted Christ at an early age and she stayed the course and introduced as many to Jesus Christ as her time on this earth allowed.
Upon graduating from high school where she earned a full academic scholarship, she attended Prairie View A&M. She began each day reading the bible and her daily Word, she then read the
newspaper from front to back. Eleanor enjoyed all sports, watching them on television or live as often as she could, she would be the mother in the crowd that everyone could hear. In
1955 she married Tollie Williams Jr., and of the union she was blessed with 7 beautiful children. When her father passed, she then moved to Alaska in 1963 to be close to her older sister
Vanee Robinson, thus the journey begins. In 1968, Eleanor began her career at Federal Aviation Administration, cleaning the building (no job to small), she then moved to the steno pool
and on to become the first African American Woman to certify as an Air Traffic Control in 1971. In 1976 it was verified and found to be true that she was the first African American to
certify at which time she was entered it to the United States History books. Her legacy did not stop there, this was merely a stepping stone, she went on to become the first African
American Woman to head up a major en-route facility in 1992, Cleveland, Ohio. She was inducted into the Black Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001, along with such greats as Alfred C. Anderson
and several other Tuskegee Airmen. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, leader, mentor and a true child of God. She was committed to teaching,
preaching and reaching out to as many as would listen. A true pillar in every community in which she lived, she left her mark where ever she went. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs,
she was always in a teaching mode, and as she learned she would share her knowledge with others. She believed that what God has for her, He has for her and what He has for others, He
has for them, and if you could reach out and touch one person you can make a difference. You cannot be stopped, if you are willing to keep trying, she would say. The visitation will
be Friday, April 29th, 2011, between 10:00am and 5:00pm at Daniel and Son Funeral Home, located at 401 West 18th St. in Bryan, TX., 77803 The Lincoln Recreation Center where she spent
many days and countless hours mentoring young and old alike, will be the location of her funeral service. How appropriate that the address is 1000 Eleanor Street, College Station, TX.
77840. The service will start at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 30th 2011. Her body will be laid to rest at Roans Chapel Cemetery. Everyone is invited back to the Lincoln Rec. Center afterwards
for the repast gathering. Her last Quote “Let us all learn to get along and work together.” She is survived by her 7 children, Rodrick L. (Washington), Viola Kaye, Darryl D., Eric R.
and Kenneth R.(Alaska), Dana D.and Sheila Anne (Texas), 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, sisters Vanee Robinson, Iris J. Scott, Marjorie Thompson (Lee) and Mary N. Maddox,
Uncle Alandrus Peterson, Aunt Christine Ford-Jenkins, a host of nieces and nephews, many cousins and many, many friends and close associates. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents,
brother Robert Toliver, and ex-husband Tollie Williams Jr., 2 grandsons Marcus Larry Watkins and Robert London Smith III, and many nephews and nieces, Larry Toliver, Darnell Toliver
and Vanee M. Marshall to name a few…..
Family Moments
Family Moments
Family Tree The dash between 1936 -2011 has been monumental, thank you Eleanor Joyce Williams. Rodrick LaBronn Williams Janae Lynette Williams -Regena L. Williams Jianna L. Arenas-Williams
Viola Kaye Smith Zakiya Aisha Smith-Oates Ahla Ramero Zadahn Oates Zaynah A.S. Oates Raniya L. S. Oates Robert London Smith III Reiara Christine Smith Marrisa London-LaRay Dillon-Smith
Kiera Monee’ Wiley Kie’rhon Mason Smith-Wiley Darryl Duane Williams Shawanna Patrice Harps-Jackson Sariya Joyce Jackson Tyla Tyrone Darryl Duane Williams Jr. Darryl Duane Williams III
Eric Randolf Williams Erica Renee Williams Jamariah Mance Felicia R. Martin Talisha LaRay Williams Tynica Jackson-Jayion Jackson-Toni Jackson-Genesis Dana Dionne Williams Bijai LaBronn
Jones Bria Dionne Jones Sheila Anne Williams Tollie Eugene Watkins Javarius Watkins Marcus Larry Watkins Shayla M. Williams-Reynolds Maya Smith-Williams Kenneth Ronn Williams Kenneth
R. Williams Jr. Rolanda Dargan-Williams Deonnsay Williams Jelani D. S. Dargan-Williams Sharday Hemphill Lianda Dargan Lanaja & Taavi Little Erica Garmon
Memories
e deeply grateful for each and every expression of love and concern extended to during our period of transition. We have been comforted by your visits, telephone calls, cards, flowers,
prayers, and other thoughtful deeds. Your thoughtfulness will always be cherished. It is our earnest and sincerest prayer that all of God's choicest and richest blessings be showered
on you in unlimited and abundant measures. We are also grateful for the love and care each of you showed Eleanor while she yet lived. The Family ACTIVE PALLBEARERS Kevin Donnelly Derrick
Ford Sr. Carl Maddox Rodman Maddox Bruce Steen Paul Thompson William Campbell HONORARY PALLBEARERS Rodrick L. Williams Darryl D. Williams Eric R. Williams Kenneth R. Williams Darryl
D. Williams Jr Kenneth R. Williams Jr Bijia L. Jones Robert L. Smith Marcus L. Watkins Tollie E. Watkins Deonnsay Williams Jelani D. S. Williams ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special Acknowledgement:
The programs were sponsored by the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE) NBCFAE) Aeronautical Southwest Region. The family casket spray was generously provided
by Harold Phifer. The family would also like to say a special thanks to Alaska Senator Bettye Davis for her support INTERMENT Roan Chapel Cemetery College Station, Texas FINAL ARRANGEMENTS
ENTRUST TO: Daniel and Son Funeral Home 401 W. 18th Street Bryan, Texas 77803 MEMORIAL SERVICE May 09, 2011 @10:00 am Shiloh Baptist Church 855 E. 20th Anchorage, Alaska