Thelma Louise Williams

Thelma L. Williams, 96, of Waterbury, passed on to be with the Lord while surrounded by the loving presence of her grandchildren on March 11, 2024.  Thelma lived her life fully and in service to her God, her church, her blessed family and to the citizens of Waterbury  working in her capacity as appropriations clerk for NOW Inc. until she was at the advanced age of 91.  Thelma was born December 14, 1927 in Montgomery, Alabama.  She was a  daughter of the late James Carter Sr. and after her mother’s death at a young age, was raised by her loving aunt Hattie.

Thelma lived on a street behind Martin Luther King’s home and was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement, marching along with MLK.  She transported people during the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott after the arrest of Rosa Parks in December of 1955.  During those 13 months of mass protest, Thelma continued to support the civil rights movement.  Being thankful for the blessing of owning a car, she drove her fellow marchers to and from rallies.  The culmination of thirteen months of protest and march resulted in the landmark US Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was illegal. Thelma later became a member of the Black Democratic Club and also the board of Education as a mentor.  Education was very important to Thelma. A highlight of Thelma’s life  was being interviewed by WTNH during Black History Month regarding her part in the Civil Rights Movement and the events she participated in.

Throughout Thelma’s young adult life, as a good and faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, Thelma served on many boards of her beloved Grace Baptist Church.  She was a member of the Usher Board, The Sharing and Caring Committee and many other boards.  The death of her beloved husband Gaston Williams was very painful, but her faith and the support of the loving members of her church helped ease her grief.

If you were blessed to know Thelma, you know she treasured life, loved to dance and was a joy to be with.  Her wit, candor and genuine love will be treasured always.  She was blessed to matriarch five generations.  She was a strict and loving mother to her two sons Leonard and Howard, imparting her legacy of service to God and her community and the value of education.  She was also very involved in the raising of her grandchildren.

Left to honor her love and legacy are her seven grandchildren: Howard J. “Pookie” Williams, Angela Williams, Dwain Williams, Michele Smith and her husband Donald, Tracie Jones and her husband Anthony, Dawn Williams and Brandon Williams.  She also leaves a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.  Thelma was predeceased by her husband Gaston Williams and her sons Leonard James Williams and Howard Lee Williams. 

Visitation for Thelma will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 10am to 11am at Grace Baptist Church, 65 Kingsbury St., Waterbury.  Funeral services will begin at 11 am at the church.  Burial will immediately follow at New Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterbury.  Prospect Memorial/ The Palmerie Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for and assisting the Williams family with the arrangements and throughout this difficult time of grief.  You are invited to share your fond memories, photos and words of love and support on Thelma’s Tribute Wall at www.prospectmemorial.com.