On March 18, 1924, Mildred Williams was born to Anderson and Callie Bracey Williams, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was raised on the west side of Indianapolis in the community of Haughville. She was the eldest of six children, all of whom have preceded her in death. She attended Wendell Phillips School #63 and Crispus Attucks High School.
There were nuptials in the air on December 16, 1940, when Mildred Williams and Wade Woodford, Sr. were united in Holy Matrimony, and of this union eight children were born. Mr. Woodford passed away early in time, on July 5, 1973. Mildred continued on as a mother, grandmother, a great-grandmother, an aunt and as a friend, always willing to help those who were in need in any way that she could.
Mildred accepted Christ at an early age, joining Saint Paul Baptist Church in 1936. She remained a member until her death, singing in the choir until her health began to fail her.
After working for RCA and retiring from there, she loved having family over for barbeque almost weekly. She enjoyed it so much she opened King Bar-B-Que and Fish on MLK Avenue with her partner, John Adams. After retiring from that venture, she concentrated on more work in the community. In order to bridge the cultural, racial, and economic differences, and in order to support and nurture the people in the community, she incorporated part of the mission statement of the Edna Martin Christian Center, which became part of Mildred’s mantra. She devoted much of her later years to this organization. Mildred will be sorely missed.
Mildred departed this earthly life on January 9, 2020. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Wade Woodford, Sr.; son, Roderick Woodford; daughters, Denise Shirley, and Callie Woodford-Taylor; two brothers, Cornell and John Williams, and three sisters, Corine Wallace, Nadine Kimble, and Rose Pritchett.
Mildred leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Wade (Mary) Woodford, Jr., and Derrick Woodford; daughters, Clotilia (Dennis) Turner, Beryl (Johnnie) Moore, and Bernita Woodford; ten grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "And in the end it's not the years in a life,
it's the life in the years". Mildred fought a good fight and kept the faith.
Humbly Submitted
|
