Esselena Robertson Williams

Esselena Robertson Williams was born July 31, 1928 in Pontiac, Michigan. She was born to John Robertson and Ophelia Mitchell-Robertson and was the third of four children. Her mother Ophelia was later married to Virgil Sullivan, who also helped raised young Esselena. At an early age, Esselena professed her love for Christ and was baptized by her grandfather, Reverend James Mitchell. Reverend Mitchell was a seventh-day/Sabbath minister and built a church onto the family home. A great majority of his preaching was done under the big shade tree in the front yard. Young Esselena's job was to find and read bible verses for her grandfather when he was preparing his sermon for the week. She spent many of her young years with her grandparents and learned a great deal from her grandfather who was one of Pontiac's first black insurance salesmen and a restaurateur. She would often fondly reminisce of her experiences and upbringings with her grandparents. Esselena's grandmother also exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit and complimented her husband's love for business. Mrs. Mitchell sold fresh eggs and Lucky Heart products. Young Esselena served as a messenger and carried products or eggs to nearby patrons of her grandparents' businesses. This only marked the beginning of Esselena's experiences in business. Her grandparents' business pedigree was passed down to their children: 3 daughters - Esselena's mother, Ophelia; and Aunts,' Willa Mae, and Otella. Her mother Ophelia and aunt, Willa Mae, who many knew affectionately as "Billie," went into business together. They opened a laundry business called the Jessup & Sullivan Laundry, located on the corner of Wesson & Lull; a chicken and fish shop, located on Wesson & Bagley Street; and a beauty shop on Bagley next to Davis Funeral Home. Esselena's Aunt Billie went on to open E. & B. (Elmer & Billie) Grill on Wesson and Bagley St., and the La Roche' Tea Room, also on Bagley St. Esselena had the pleasure of naming the tea room and worked at both locations for her aunt until her mother took over operations. Her aunt later went on to open more local businesses providing much needed opportunities for family and individuals in the Pontiac community to work at the following sites: The Roaches & Sullivan Massage Parlor, located over Walgreens Drugstore downtown Pontiac, and Yarbro Homes, Inc., adult foster care facilities with locations on Orchard Lake, Huron Street, Jackson Street, South Boulevard and Dixie Highway in Waterford. Esselena was educated in the Pontiac Public School System and upon completion of her education, married the late Felton Williams, Sr. To this union, five children were born. She instilled in all of them a strong commitment to faith, family, and civic duty. She encouraged and expected their personal best and in return gave them so much more. She was extremely proud of all of her children and grandchildren, often found assisting and working with them in their respective pursuits and endeavors. Her eldest daughter Angela would follow in the path of previous generations and opened a dance studio on Franklin Boulevard, now Riley's Dance Theatre, Inc. Angela has taught many local youth and seniors the art of dance throughout the years. Esselena also participated in these programs as a dancer and was a member of the Bowen's Senior Citizen Golden Opportunity Club's Country Line Dancing team. Esselena served as Trustee of the board for the non-profit dance theatre and most recently, assisted with summer youth ballet programs at various Pontiac elementary schools. And in true fashion, Angela's daughter, Alexandria Riley founded both Capitol Construction & Development Co., a local construction company and Legacy Signature Properties, a real estate development and leasing firm with a portfolio of numerous properties throughout the city of Pontiac. Esselena was instrumental in the formation of these companies, and recently influenced the incorporation of Legacy Special Care Non-Emergency Medical Transportation. Esselena strongly believed in giving back to one's community. The example was set by her elders and she passed it down to the generations that came behind her. At the tender age of 11, her grand-daughter, Alexandria began anchoring youth news on the local TV shows "Inside Pontiac" and "Positively Pontiac." Esselena volunteered and became a part of the production crew for the shows, working behind the scenes with her grand-daughter and daughter, Velma. Esselena also pre-edited all of Alexandria's newspaper articles when she was a youth writer for the Oakland Press, Citizens Post and Michigan Chronicle. Esselena remained involved in local politics throughout her life. She worked as an elections officer and worked hard to register voters for any upcoming election. She supported many local candidates, working diligently to get them elected. She would often tell stories of her role in electing her child-hood friend and Pontiac's first Black mayor, the late Wallace Holland. Esselena took her civic duty seriously. She especially looked forward to working in the upcoming Oakland County Commissioner's race, in which Alexandria is a Democratic candidate. During her last days, Esselena enjoyed participating in strategy sessions and being briefed on the progress of the campaign while encouraging all those around her to get involved. As a Democrat, Esselena firmly embraced Democratic ideals and supported her local labor unions. Her husband Felton and most of her children had worked at General Motors at one time or another. Her twins, Audrey retired from GM, Andrew continues to work there and shared her support of organized labor. After her husband's death, during a time when most her age were retiring, she set out to go to work side-by-side with her daughter Velma at Centronics. It was different from her days as a homemaker and prior days working within family-owned businesses, but she found pleasure in working with Velma and the social scene that accompanied the plant work environment. Most of all, she loved being in the company of her offspring. She further delighted in gardening and she was a cherished member of the Pontiac Garden Club, along with Angela and Velma. Faith also held a special place in Esselena's heart. She labored in love and spread the good news of the gospel of Christ to all that would listen. She was dutiful in training her children and grandchildren of the importance of God in their lives and was particularly pleased when her eldest son, Felton, Jr. was called to minister. Pastor Felton Williams, Jr. founded Flame of Fire Ministries and he and Esselena would later enjoy countless hours of bible study and ministry. Esselena was an active member of Pontiac Southside Seventh-Day Adventist Church for over 30 years. Her commitment to her faith was demonstrated in service to the church as a choir member, usher, patron and deaconess. She was the co-chairperson of the annual Senior Citizen's Day program and relished in the opportunity to give recognition to others, giving thought and continuously planning the program throughout the year. Esselena's dedication to the Southside church family was without question and the members there affectionately endeared her with the title of "Queen Mother." Throughout her 85 years of life, Esselena's hard work and dedication to business, service and family has helped to enhance the entrepreneurial ventures of her relatives and has influenced the decisions of many to organize, incorporate or assemble. She has created a rich legacy of professional achievement and has added value to the local Pontiac community in which she was born and proud to boast from. Esselena is preceded in death by her husband, Felton Williams, Sr.; father, John Robertson; mother, Ophelia Sullivan; step-father Virgil Sullivan; brothers, Wardell Robertson and John Roberston, Sr.; and sister, Lorene Fulbright; aunts, Willia Mae Yarbro and Otella Vinegar; and great-granddaughter Kay-lia Williams. Esselena leaves to cherish her memory; five loving children, Angela Riley, Velma (Raymond) Howard, Felton Williams, Jr., Audrey Moy'e, and Andrew Williams; grandchildren, Alexandria Riley, Raymond (Netra) Williams, Nakisha Williams, Lauretta Kalika Williams, Felton Williams, III, Nehemiah Williams, Whitney Williams, Michael (Chalana) Moy'e, Tasha (Corey) Farrow, Elijah Summers, Stephanie Williams, and Tiffany Williams; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Vivian Robertson and Elsie (Avery) Burton; special childhood best-friend/cousin Esther Caddell; and a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends. "Queen Mother" Esselena Roberston Williams will be missed dearly, she lives on in our hearts forever!