Missionary Williamson

Missionary Mary Lee Williamson was born on April 14, 1935, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to her parents, Earnest Freeman, Sr. and Lorene Lyons Freeman. She was the second child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Earnest, Jr., Leroy, Anthony, Dwaine and her sisters, Lois and Wanda. Being raised in a farming town, Mary had many chores, feeding the livestock, harvesting the fields and picking cotton her lest favorite. Her all-time favorite thing was riding the hogs for which she received lots of spankings. The family remembers Mary and her older sister, Lois taking turns slipping down to the local carnival while "Big Mama" was asleep. Mary received her early education in Checotah, Oklahoma where she attended Checotah High School. She had a burning desire to earn her diploma. She completed courses at the Adult Learning Center at Clayton College here in Denver, Colorado and at the young age of 60, Mary earned her GED. On June 5, 1960, Mary united in holy matrimony to Melbourne Williamson, Sr. They first met in Denver, Colorado. They were an inseparable couple. Their love for each other was so real and strong that they wouldn't have a meal without each other. To this union, Sharon, Melbourne, Jr. and Vicki were born. She was also the mother of Melvin and Stanley who were born to her when she married Laverne Taylor when she was a young girl. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. They all remember the Sunday drives to the country after dinner. Later her grandchildren, Carl, Darnell, Natasha, Shamica, and DeAndre were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her "Little Gram" or "G.G. Mama" and fondly remember getting in bed just to watch cartoons and talk, this pastime continued with her great-children. Mary was a Homemaker whose pride and joy was the care and nurture of her family. She did from time to time, work outside the home but always returned home to care for her husband, children and grandchildren. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Mary has been a faithful and dedicated member of Zion Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Church for over 40 years. She has served her church and the Lord as the teacher of the Primary Sunday School Class for over 20 years. She has served as an Usher and held the position of Vice President. She has served as a member of the Missionary Society and served with many of the church outreach ministries. She has been awarded numerous awards and other honors by the church for her faithfulness and dedication. She was happy to have received a Training for Service Certification from the church. She has held Bible Study in her back yard for the children and others in the neighborhood and has led quite a few souls to Christ. Mary was a fun loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, fishing, traveling in the family motor home, gardening and last but not least, studying and teaching the Word of God. She was a woman who was a friend to many and they will miss her honesty and her compassion. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind Christian woman who leaves a void that can never be filled. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melbourne Williamson, Sr.; a son, Melvin Taylor; her parents, brothers, Earnest Freeman, Jr., Leroy Freeman, Anthony Freeman and a sister, Wanda Walker. Missionary Mary Lee Williamson departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on August 28, 2013, in her home in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include two sons, Stanley D. Taylor, Denver and Melbourne M. (LeeAnn) Williamson, Jr., Arvada; two daughters, Evangelist Sharon M. Vasquez, Denver and Vicki L. (John) Armstrong, Aurora; one brother, Dwaine Winfrey, Phoenix, AZ; one sister, Lois McMill-Mitchell, Moreno Valley, CA; six grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; sister in laws, Shirley Porter, Phoenix, AZ, Maylynn Freeman, Tulsa, OK and Nina Carter, Aurora and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 9/4/2013 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 9/5/2013 at 11:00 AM - Zion Temple Pentecostal Apostolic Church - 1600 Syracuse Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 9/5/2013 - Staging Area A Fort Logan National Cemetery - Denver, CO