Mable Ola (Robinson) Williams

MRS. MABLE OLA ROBINSON WILLIAMS, 82 of DETROIT, MI formerly of MONROE, NC died Saturday, April 19, 2014 in Detroit, MI.  A Graveside Service will be held 11am Monday, April 28, 2014 at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Monroe, NC.  A Public viewing will be held 12noon to 7pm Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Harris Funeral Home Chapel in Monroe.  Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Monroe is in charge.

Born June 1, 1931 in Monroe, NC a daughter of the late King David Robinson and Emma Perry Robinson, as a child, Mabel grew up active with her family in the Elizabeth Baptist Church in Monroe where she accepted Jesus Christ and it was at this church she had her first encounters with the Williams family.

As a teen bride she married her late husband of 49 years; Robert Franklin Williams, Sr. and to their union was born Robert Franklin, Jr. and John Chalmers.  Together lead by Robert, Sr. the family would become a legendary historic family of the US civil and human rights struggle and the "Black Liberation Movement". As a loving wife and mother in the 50s and 60s Mabel was caught-up in the civil rights movement for desegregation and justice.  Mabel had a compasionate and giving spirit, she was very active in community affairs even after her retirement and her intermittent health challenges she remained active, called upon to share her life experiences with many churches, academic learning institutions, grass roots organizations and confrences nationally and internationally.  In October of 2012, The Idlewild Culture Conference Center was named the Mable R. Williams Center in her honor.

She leaves to cherish fond and loving memories to her son; John Chalmers Williams and wife Lisa, stepson Franklin Williams and grandsons; Robert F., III and Benjamin Paul Williams and great-grandaughters; Cali and Sasha Williams and brother in law John H. Williams and a host of other relatives and friends.

Much of the story of Mother Mabel's life is documented in the following mediums; The Black Scholar, Spring 2013, vol. 43 no 1/2; "Negros with Guns" by Robert F. Williams-book; "Negros with Guns" film documentary; Radio Free Dixie, the roots of Black Power, by Tim Tyson-book; www.freedomarcives.org/mabel.html; Robert F. Williams Collection, University of Michigan, Bently Historical Library and a host of online resources.