Williams, Edna Aleta Theadora (Johnston) – Mom, Nan, GG, Aleta. Sunrise September 19, 1923 – Sunset April 4, 2018. "The Queen is residing in her Heavenly Home."

            Born in Halifax, at 154 Creighton Street, Edna Aleta Theadora (Johnston) Williams moved to New Glasgow on her wedding day.

            Aleta was baptized in Cornwallis Street United Baptist Church at the age of 13. She was organist and choir director at Cornwallis Street United Baptist Church 1939-1944. Mom was also a Sunday School teacher, CGIT and BYPU officer. She was a member of the Halifax YWCA Comrade Cub; President Comrade Club; Senior Council Member, Halifax YWCA, 1946; Senior Council president, Halifax YWCA, 1948. Mom attended Halifax schools, including Joseph Howe, Bloomfield High and Maritime Business College graduating with a secretarial diploma. Aleta was the first African Nova Scotia woman to achieve this distinction.

            Mom was a typist with the Treasury Department (Navy) from January 13, 1944 until 1949.

            Aleta married Albert Murray Williams (deceased, 1972) of New Glasgow in 1949. Together, they raised seven children.

            To quote her, "After being a ‘stay at home Mom’ until my family was complete, my husband Murray and I decided I would return to the work force part-time. My first job was with the Presbyterian Maritime Secretary, Maritime Building, New Glasgow, Deacon Christine Shaw, 1965-1967. Then I joined Thompson & Sutherland Business Office, New Glasgow, 1967-69."

            Mom’s next job was with The New Glasgow Evening News. The editor, Harry Sutherland, was aware of articles she had previously sent to the paper over the years, for the church and individuals, and offered her a job in editorial (the first Indigenous Nova Scotian Black person to be employed with a mainstream media outlet in the province.) That was in 1968. The 20 years on staff were not only happy but most rewarding.

            Her first position was as a reporter and assisting the Family Editor. A few months later she was offered the position. The rest, as they say, is history. Aleta was responsible for two weekly columns: Girl Friday which took her into the county where she met countless people; and Chatter Corner which included recipes and current topics. After retiring from the newspaper, Mom accepted the opportunity to return as a part-time columnist. She continued to provide many articles/columns and was well into her 80s when she decided to finally retire due to health concerns.

            Mom was always involved in the church and wider community. In New Glasgow, she formed the Mixed Chorus of Second United Baptist Church which she directed and accompanied 1950-1955. She also directed the church’s Brotherhood Choir, 1980-. She has the honour of being the only female member of the Men’s Brotherhood, 1995- and was their treasurer 1995-. Mom has the distinction of being the only female member of the Laymen’s Council of the AUBA. She co-led the CGIT of the church. Mom has been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Second United Baptist Church, since 1949. She has held a number of positions including President, Secretary, Accompanist, Choir Director and Member, Program Committee. Aleta was assistant organist of the church for over 50 years and interim organist for three years. She has also served as organist and choir director with a number of churches of different denominations throughout Pictou County: organist and choir director, St. Paul Presbyterian Church, Merigomish; organist and choir director, St. James Anglican Church, 1983-85; interim organist and choir director, Trenton United Church, Trenton; organist and choir director, St. Bee’s Anglican Church, Westville, 1996-2003. Mom returned to Second United Baptist Church as interim organist and choir director from 2003 to 2006.

            Aleta has held numerous offices throughout the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia including: Clerk, 1980-1990; Area IV representative, African United Baptist Association Women’s Institute, 1981; AUBA Women’s Institute 1st vice president, 1982; president, 1985-1987, Women’s Institute representative to the Black United Front of Nova Scotia, 1985-1987; and Provincial Organist 1985-2009.

Mom was the Second United Baptist Church representative to the Pictou County Council of Churches, 1978-82. She acted as the Council’s Publicity Chair, 1978-2010. She was secretary, Area IV, Atlantic United Baptist Convention, 1989-1993.

            Aleta was a founding member of the Pictou County YM-YWCA. She was a member of the Board of Directors, 1967-1977; Corresponding Secretary, 1974-75, and vice-president, 1975-77.

            Mom was a member of the Acadia/Brown Home & School Association, 1955-1974. She held the offices of President, Acadia/Brown Home & School Association; President, Pictou County Council of Home & School Associations; Family Life Committee and Chair, Provincial Federation of Home & School Associations.

            Aleta was a founding member and past officer of the Pictou County Interracial Society, member, Board of Directors, Pictou County Big Brothers Big Sisters, 1984-1986; and member, Board of Directors, Pictou County United Way, 1983-1996. She was a founding member; Member, Board of Directors, Publicity Chair and member, volunteers, Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care, 1985-2010.

            Mom is a past-president Pictou County Seniors Festival. She was also a media representative for a number of volunteer organizations in the county.

            Aleta has mentored many in the Pictou County area, encouraging them on their educational and Christian paths.

            Some of the awards she has received include The United Way 1993; Girot Award, Black Cultural Center 1999; Pictou County Music Festival; Second United Baptist Church; Cultural Heritage Award, Town of New Glasgow 2004 (she was the second New Glasgow resident to receive this seldom-offered award); Palliative Care Volunteer Award 2005; AUBA WI – 50-year member and 20-year organist; and Canadian Bible Society. She was featured in a N.S. Senior Secretariat publication. For over 30 years Aleta has been listed in the Marquis Who’s Who in America.

            Mom has survived cancer a number of times and lived with a disease which stole her hearing in one ear and reduced it in another. She said, "If you sit at home and think of all your ailments, it’s going to help them, not you."

            Mom is the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by seven children, Murleta, Norma, Martin, Charla, Kerrick, Renwick and Julia; Grandchildren, Tracey, Jonathyn, Danielle, Ashley, and Nathaniel; Great-Grandchildren, Cameron, Olivia, Hayden, Lily, Scarlett, and Annabelle.

            Mom was predeceased by her parents, the late Clarence H. and Edna Mae (Lewis) Johnston; Brothers, Clarence in infancy and Noel H.L.; Sisters, Jeanette in infancy and Claritta; Husband, Albert Murray Williams; Grandson, Murray Trevor Williams; In-laws Albert Osborne and Gussie Amelia (Desmond) Williams.

            Funeral arrangements are entrusted to R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow, with visitation 2-4 and 6-9 pm Friday, April 13, where a Ladies Auxiliary service will be held at 7 pm. Celebration of Life will occur Saturday, April 14at 2 pm in First Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson and Rev. Dr. Morley Shaw officiating. Reception to follow private family burial.

            Memorial donations may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society, 835 East River Road, New Glasgow, NS, B2H 3S6; or the Ladies Auxiliary of Second United Baptist Church, PO Box 51, New Glasgow, NS, B2H 5E1.