Rosetta Violet Williams

June 8, 1942 - May 27, 2021

Rosetta V. Williams departed this life and earned her wings to glory on May 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Rosetta, affectionately known as “Violet or Vi,” was born on June 8, 1942, in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Pastor Elliott and Indiaola Taylor. Violet received her education at The Buttonwood School and graduated from William Penn High School. She continued her education as a Head Start teacher where she earned her associate’s degree from the Wilmington University of Wilmington DE. Violet met Arthur Lee Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1969, and they later married and shared life together for over 50 years. Violet accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age. The life she lived was a true testament of her faith in God. Violet was a pillar in her community and exemplified the true example of a virtuous woman, Proverbs 31:10-31. She was an active member of the New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Wilmington, DE, under the leadership of Bishop William B. Wilmore Jrs, where she served on the Deaconess Board, Pastor’s Aide, Prayer Cell, Kitchen Committee, Missionary Board and the Senior Choir. In addition, she received her Certificate of Completion with the Evangelical Training Association. Violet loved the Lord and would press her way to church until her health began to fail. She often loved praying with her daughter daily. Violet was employed with the New Castle County Head Start as a teacher for over 30 years. She had a passion for children and acted as a mentor among her peers, developing life-long friendships. Violet was the matriarch of the family, known for her quick wit and outgoing personality. She had a big heart for children and the less fortunate. The Buttonwood community loved her. Violet had an open-door policy; all were welcome. She was known for her good cooking and large parties such as barbecues, dinners, home interior parties, birthday parties and pig roasts or any reason to get together with family and friends for good old-fashioned fun. Violet was festive and loved to decorate and celebrate every holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas were a big deal for her. She would stay up late baking and cooking with her daughters for each feast. These traditions were passed down to her children. Violet had a heart of gold and lived to be a blessing. She enjoyed buying gifts for every one of her grandchildren, as well as her family and friends. She often opened her home and heart to many, helping them get back on their feet with what little she had. Her motto was, “If I can help someone along the way, then my living will not be in vain.” Violet enjoyed fellowship with her friends every Sunday after church service, and during the week she enjoyed cooking and fellowship with her sisters. Violet was preceded in death by her parents, the late Pastor Elliott and Indiaola Taylor, 7 brothers; Earl, Franklin, Saunders, Alonzo, Calvin, Stanford, and Phillip Taylor, 3 sisters; Consuella Holladay, Sarah Richards, Khadeejah Bint Elliott, and 1 sister-in-law, Sonia Taylor. She leaves to cherish her beautiful life and memory, husband Arthur Lee Williams, of New Castle, DE, 3 sons; Levester S. Tatum, Mark T. Tatum, of New Castle DE, Elliott N. Tatum (Evelyn), of Bear, DE, 3 daughters; Iris E. Walker (Stanley), New Castle DE, Sandra J. Haskins (Maxie), Vanessa L.. English (Larry), of Bear, DE, and 1 bonus child, Jacqueline Harris (Anthony) of Middletown, DE. Sisters Natalie White of Cleveland, OH, Teel Petty, New Castle, DE, Eloise Summers (Eddie) Newark, DE, Victoria Garrett (Joe), Catherine Hammond, and Jacqueline Taylor of New Castle, DE, 1 sister-in-law, Martha Faye Williams, 2 brothers- in-law, Billy Ray Williams, of Rockaway, NY, and Michael Williams of Wilmington, DE. 1 devoted niece, Tiffany Violet Rosetta Hammond of New Castle DE, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.