Marie M. DeWilliams, 108, garment presser, optimist
Marie M. DeWilliams, 108, of West Philadelphia, a former household worker and garment presser whose life revolved around faith and family, died Wednesday, May 25, of cardiac arrest at Simpson House on Belmont Avenue.
Marie M. DeWilliams, 108, of West Philadelphia, a former household worker and garment presser whose life revolved around faith and family, died Wednesday, May 25, of cardiac arrest at Simpson House on Belmont Avenue.
Mrs. DeWilliams was born in Ruckersville, Va., in 1907, the year that wireless telegraphy connected Europe and Canada for the first time; that the Mauretania, then the world's fastest passenger liner, had its maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York; and that women were elected to the Finnish parliament, becoming the first women voted into office.
It was a long and difficult road from Mrs. DeWilliams' roots in the cotton fields to the 5900 block of Webster Street in West Philadelphia, where she lived starting in 1958.
The daughter of Cornelius and Lena Murray, who both worked in the fields, Mrs. DeWilliams was the 15th of 16 children. Lena Murray died when Mrs. DeWilliams was young, and the children were placed in several foster homes.
Mrs. DeWilliams was a teenager when she was sent to live with relatives in Philadelphia.
"It would be many years before Marie was reunited with her father or any of her siblings," her family said in a remembrance.
For 30 years, Mrs. DeWilliams was a presser and a member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). She retired in 1973 from the hot, exacting work to help raise and educate her grandsons.
"It was steam and heat all day long," said grandson Frank Binns. "And they didn't have air-conditioning back then."
One of her first jobs in Philadelphia was cleaning house and caring for children as a housemaid. It was in that role that she met Henry DeWilliams, a chauffeur at a neighboring household.
The two married in June 1931 and had three children. He died in 1967.
In 1929, she joined Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church and remained a faithful member, attending services until her health failed. She was a member of the Pastor's Aid Society, the Heart and Hand Club, and the Flower Club.
"One of her real joys in life was to sit in 'her' seat on Sunday mornings, and enjoy and be blessed by the services of that day," her family said. Since Mrs. DeWilliams didn't drive, friend Claudie Hammond drove her to and from the church.
Mrs. DeWilliams enjoyed touring the United States, Spain, Africa, London, and Paris, the last two while in her 90s.
She regularly attended meetings of the union's Young at Heart Club with other ILGWU members.
Mrs. DeWilliams, who was optimistic and cheerful, treasured the time she spent with family, friends, and neighbors.
"She would tell you how much she loved sitting on the porch on warm summer days and greeting neighbors as they passed by, and she would tell you she was glad to see each new day," her family said.
In addition to her grandson, she is survived by a son, Henry "Joe" Jr.; daughter Rose Marie; six other grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. A daughter, Chichi Lamour, died previously.
Services were Tuesday, May 31.
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