At 102 years old, Juanita Williams is two years into working on her second century of service to God and the community. Williams, who joined the historic Wesley Chapel AME Church in the early 1940s has been a member of that congregation’s Usher Board since 1956. That’s 68 years of helping to usher in the Holy Spirit.
And she’s still going strong, on duty ushering every first and second Sunday.
“I like meeting people,” she said about her role. “You get to meet a lot of new people, friendly people.”
Born on June 10, 1922, in Bay City, the second of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Morgan, Sr., Williams moved to Houston in 1939 to attend Houston College for Negroes (now Texas Southern University) on a basketball scholarship. While there, Williams earned a B.S. degree in Home Economics.
Ushering Origins
During this time, Williams first ventured into Wesley.
“When I came to Houston, I wasn’t going to church and I knew that wasn’t right because I’d been in church when I was growing up. So, I decided I would join something that would force me to go to church and that’s how I got with the Usher Board.”
Her commitment to her calling grew over the decades and showed in multiple ways. In the 1980s, Williams became active with the Tenth District of Texas Conference Ushers, Nurses and Greeters Organization (UNG). Her legacy for the Texas Conference UNG as a Meritorious Leader 2011 is always giving back.
Williams has served the greater Houston community in multiple ways, as well, but focuses often on her many fond memories of serving as an usher over the years.
“I’ve traveled quite a bit with Ushers and quite a bit over the 10th District. I have served under, I think it’s 11 bishops and I’m on my fifth pastor. But, I’ve enjoyed it. And every time I think I’m going to sit down something says, ‘No, you’ve got to keep going,’” shared the centenarian.
When asked what keeps her standing and ushering for the Lord, she responded, “The Lord. That’s all I can say. The Lord keeps me going.”
Recognitions
Described by loved ones as energetic, helpful, thoughtful, intelligent, and warm, Williams has been recognized and honored by the City of Houston and then Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Texas House of Representatives (via Dr. Alma A. Allen) for her work with the Pantry Women of Wesley A.M.E., and countless others. This includes a 2018 recognition bestowed upon her by the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, recognizing Williams as an Elnita McClain Women’s Center, Inc. honoree.
Williams, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and widow of 48 years (Mr. Willie Williams Sr.), has a lot of life to look back on, including rewarding careers in academics and retail. Still, she continues to enjoy the present moments, walking two-plus miles a day, avidly playing Solitaire and Free Cell, and driving herself to her beloved Wesley for Bible Study on Wednesdays and Church School and Worship Service every Sunday.
Williams gladly shares pieces of advice for those younger than her who are beginning their journey as ushers.
“If you stay with it, you have to be serious about it. A lot of people don’t think ushering is that serious. But when you’re ushering, you’re doing it for God, not for yourself and not for the minister. You are ushering for God. That’s a promise you make to God, not to the minister.”
