Memories of Martha "Tena" Elizabeth Williams

In memory of

Martha "Tena" Elizabeth Williams

Chicago, IL

August 20, 1937 - January 10, 2025

Aug 20, 1937 - Jan 10, 2025

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Kitt Willams Miller

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Pinned

Kitt's Eulogy

My mom was the glue that pulled everything and everyone together.

And here we are, all of us, having a reunion. She is thrilled we are all here to celebrate her life. In this historic church where she was baptized, married, prayed, served, and worshipped. We are grateful you are here.

She was the truth. If you didn’t want to hear the truth. Don’t ask her.

Wicked-smart, funny, creative, determined, and full of life, she lived life unapologetically.

A mother like no other. She was a vibrant and spirited life force, she could make you belly laugh, straighten you out, and serve you a piece of cake in one fell swoop.

She exemplified hard work, and leadership, with an unlimited capacity for love.

Her grandparents firmly ingrained the Cowans-Ayers-Ewing values at a young age. Honor God, live a life of service, stand up for yourself and others, and call it like you see it.

She is from the “do something about it” generation who stayed engaged in their church, community, and the world. The generation who ironed their sheets, sent hand written thank you notes, and made everything from scratch - showing up in my kindergarten class to teach the class how to make apple butter.

Tena was a warrior

She was an active warrior for civil rights, playing a key role in organizing the Waukegan branch of the national civil rights movement. She often found herself in historical moments. Meeting face-to-face with Dr. King, she would say,“ was the most memorable moment of my life”. One day, she found herself in the balcony at Emmitt Till’s funeral – always a witness to history.

She made sure we knew who we were and whose we were. On Saturday morning, we woke up to PUSH playing on the radio, listening to Jesse Jackson chanting, “I AM! SOMEBODY!” We attended Urban League and NAACP conventions.

Tena was an educator

She wasn’t just a principal at the local elementary school. She was the principal at the local elementary school in the same school district where I went to school – at the end of the day she could recite back to me everything I did or did not do that day. I couldn’t get away with anything.

She was a motivator who set a high bar. There was no try. There was only do or do not. “Do it right or don’t do it all,” she would say.

Tena was sentimental

She saved all the things that meant something to her– writing a note to herself on the back as to why it was so special. Each of us has a file or a notebook where she kept an archive of our lives. She was the family librarian, photographer, and the keeper of family facts and history.

Tena loved music

At 7 years old and younger we found ourselves dressed up at Temptations, O’Jays, and Johnny Mathis concerts. We sang all the words to “Life Is A Song Worth Singing”together.

Tena was a giver

She never stopped giving–she gave to her favorite charities, she baked cookies, cakes, and pies for everyone she loved. When she gave you a gift it was wrapped to perfection. It was Tena’s Touch.

Tena was hilarious

Her timing was impeccable and she always had a quick comeback. She had a nickname for everyone here or she called you by your whole name. Either way, it was a show of love.

Tena was cool.

You could tell her anything, although some things we kept quiet because she would ask a thousand and one questions. One being, “Well, what did you learn?”

Tena persisted

In the face of any obstacle, she persisted. A voracious reader, even after being diagnosed with low vision, she continued to read with a magnifying glass, swim, make cards, and bake.

She was a tough cookie.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching, motivating, molding, and loving me.

I love you. God bless you.

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