May 21, 2020
by Karen London
The Obituary of Jessie Williams
Mama Jessie was born on September 23,1926 to the late Jetta and Lula Mae (Matthews) Williams. Jessie and her sisters, Mattie and Minnie, who both preceded her in death, were born in Elaine, Arkansas.
Jessie accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized at New Mt. Nebo Baptist Church by Reverend Gaston and later joined Salem Baptist Church where she was a current member.She met her husband, Herbert J. Martin (preceded in death) in Helena, Arkansas and both of their families moved to Mississippi and then eventually to Chicago. To this union, four children were born; Carolyn, Arteria, Beverly and Monroe, with the latter two preceding her in death. Mama Jessie had eight grandchildren:Alisa, Tinesa, Kevin, Torasia, Monroe (Coran), William, Glenn and Kenneth (preceded in death).Jessie also leaves behind 21 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Jessie attended DuSable High School and later attended Wendell Phillips night school in which she received a night school certificate. She worked for Campbell Soup Company, RR Donnelly, Sam's Laundry and the University of Illinois Hospital where she retired in 1993.
When her sisters preceded her in death many years ago, Jessie stepped in to help raise their children as her own. Mattie’s: Robert Jr.(preceded in death), Lorraine (preceded in death), Cornelia (Tiny), Arbery, and Minnie’s: Betty Jean (preceded in death), and Tommie Lee.In addition, years later she also became grandmother and great-grandmother to their children. Everyone was family.She would always say “you better get to know your family, because when you're dating, you never know who you might be related to.”At every family function, she was always introducing someone as a “new” cousin.
Jessie’s love of life and family was deeply instilled in her by her mother, Lula, aka Mama Lula, our former matriarch.Mama Lula raised the family to be extremely close and to stay close. She ensured every holiday was celebrated together.She taught Jessie “old school” cooking.Everything was fresh from the market or the butcher and desserts were always homemade.The family that prays and plays together stays together. Mama Lula wouldn’t let you eat Sunday dinner until you had gone to church and you had to be doing something productive to keep you out of trouble.We played straight whist and/or bid whist and competed for bragging rights.We played softball, football and would watch Friday night wrestling on TV.
When Mama Lula passed, Jessie became “Mama Jessie” the new Matriarch of the family and the traditions continued.Mama Jessie didn’t disappoint with her newly inherited title.Her passion and skill for cooking were legendary.Dinner at her house was a pleasure to be had by all and everyone was welcomed.Anyone lucky enough to experience a Mama Jessie meal exclaimed it was the “best they ever had.” Her signature dish was her greens.She was known for her greens across the country.They even earned the nickname, “Mama Jessie’s Greens” in California.Mama Jessie also raised the level of the family picnic.Our family picnics behind the Museum of Science of Industry were always the highlight event of the year. Family and friends arrived from all over the country to attend and we would always meet some new cousin!Mama Jessie would arrive at the crack of dawn to get set up and make sure everything was ready.Once at the picnic you ate until you were full, got tired from playing cards, softball, riding the paddleboats, eating some more and then she sent you home with a plate.Cooking and raising children brought her the greatest joys because sharing her food and being with her family brought us all closer to her and that’s just where she liked everyone to be.
Mama Jessie lived life on her on own terms.She did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it.She said what she wanted to say when and how she wanted to say it. We know she’s upstairs upsetting the applecart and giving Herbert hell for leaving her way too soon.
In addition to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, Mama Jessie also leaves to cherish her memories, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Rest In Peace. You will always be remembered and in our hearts. Love you always!
Mama Jessie’s Great-Grandchildren
Airika, Kevin (preceded in death), Kenneth, Keith, Michael, Myles, Dominique, Kendall, Kenya,
Dinero, Tinesa, Endia (preceded in death), Mykia, Darius, Monay, Keara, Armani, Anaiya, William, Jalilah, and Jabari
Great-Great Grandchildren
Kayla, Parker, Kemari, Kentae, Kayden, Kobe, Terrion, Torrianna, Jayceon, and Endia
Mama Jessie’s Nieces, Nephews, Grandnieces and Grandnephews
Mattie’s Children and Grandchildren
Robert Jr. – Steve, Carla, Calvin
Lorraine – Luella (preceded in death), Patricia, Rosemary and Lionel
Arbery – Herbert James, Arbery Jr., Oscar
Cornelia (Tiny) – Marion, Miriam, James and Felicia
Minnie’s Children and Grandchildren
Betty – Tina (preceded in death), Gayle, Matt Jr.
Tommie – Barron, Tiffany, Nia
Mama Jessie was born on September 23,1926 to the late Jetta and Lula Mae (Matthews) Williams. Jessie and her sisters, Mattie and Minnie, who both preceded her in death, were born in Elaine, Arkansas.
Jessie accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized at New Mt. Nebo Baptist Church by Reverend Gaston and later joined Salem Baptist Church where she was a current member.She met her husband, Herbert J. Martin (preceded in death) in Helena, Arkansas and both of their families moved to Mississippi and then eventually to Chicago. To this union, four children were born; Carolyn, Arteria, Beverly and Monroe, with the latter two preceding her in death. Mama Jessie had eight grandchildren:Alisa, Tinesa, Kevin, Torasia, Monroe (Coran), William, Glenn and Kenneth (preceded in death).Jessie also leaves behind 21 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Jessie attended DuSable High School and later attended Wendell Phillips night school in which she received a night school certificate. She worked for Campbell Soup Company, RR Donnelly, Sam's Laundry and the University of Illinois Hospital where she retired in 1993.
When her sisters preceded her in death many years ago, Jessie stepped in to help raise their children as her own. Mattie’s: Robert Jr.(preceded in death), Lorraine (preceded in death), Cornelia (Tiny), Arbery, and Minnie’s: Betty Jean (preceded in death), and Tommie Lee.In addition, years later she also became grandmother and great-grandmother to their children. Everyone was family.She would always say “you better get to know your family, because when you're dating, you never know who you might be related to.”At every family function, she was always introducing someone as a “new” cousin.
Jessie’s love of life and family was deeply instilled in her by her mother, Lula, aka Mama Lula, our former matriarch.Mama Lula raised the family to be extremely close and to stay close. She ensured every holiday was celebrated together.She taught Jessie “old school” cooking.Everything was fresh from the market or the butcher and desserts were always homemade.The family that prays and plays together stays together. Mama Lula wouldn’t let you eat Sunday dinner until you had gone to church and you had to be doing something productive to keep you out of trouble.We played straight whist and/or bid whist and competed for bragging rights.We played softball, football and would watch Friday night wrestling on TV.
When Mama Lula passed, Jessie became “Mama Jessie” the new Matriarch of the family and the traditions continued.Mama Jessie didn’t disappoint with her newly inherited title.Her passion and skill for cooking were legendary.Dinner at her house was a pleasure to be had by all and everyone was welcomed.Anyone lucky enough to experience a Mama Jessie meal exclaimed it was the “best they ever had.” Her signature dish was her greens.She was known for her greens across the country.They even earned the nickname, “Mama Jessie’s Greens” in California.Mama Jessie also raised the level of the family picnic.Our family picnics behind the Museum of Science of Industry were always the highlight event of the year. Family and friends arrived from all over the country to attend and we would always meet some new cousin!Mama Jessie would arrive at the crack of dawn to get set up and make sure everything was ready.Once at the picnic you ate until you were full, got tired from playing cards, softball, riding the paddleboats, eating some more and then she sent you home with a plate.Cooking and raising children brought her the greatest joys because sharing her food and being with her family brought us all closer to her and that’s just where she liked everyone to be.
Mama Jessie lived life on her on own terms.She did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it.She said what she wanted to say when and how she wanted to say it. We know she’s upstairs upsetting the applecart and giving Herbert hell for leaving her way too soon.
In addition to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, Mama Jessie also leaves to cherish her memories, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Rest In Peace. You will always be remembered and in our hearts. Love you always!
Legacy of Love
Mama Jessie’s Great-Grandchildren
Airika, Kevin (preceded in death), Kenneth, Keith, Michael, Myles, Dominique, Kendall, Kenya,
Dinero, Tinesa, Endia (preceded in death), Mykia, Darius, Monay, Keara, Armani, Anaiya, William, Jalilah, and Jabari
Great-Great Grandchildren
Kayla, Parker, Kemari, Kentae, Kayden, Kobe, Terrion, Torrianna, Jayceon, and Endia
Mama Jessie’s Nieces, Nephews, Grandnieces and Grandnephews
Mattie’s Children and Grandchildren
Robert Jr. – Steve, Carla, Calvin
Lorraine – Luella (preceded in death), Patricia, Rosemary and Lionel
Arbery – Herbert James, Arbery Jr., Oscar
Cornelia (Tiny) – Marion, Miriam, James and Felicia
Minnie’s Children and Grandchildren
Betty – Tina (preceded in death), Gayle, Matt Jr.
Tommie – Barron, Tiffany, Nia