Roots Grown From Strength & Unity
A Celebration of Life in Memory of
Aged: 83 Years
Samuel Alexander Williams was born on June 9, 1906, to Joseph Williams and Estelle Steele Rigby in the Turks and Caicos Islands, then part of the British West Indies. Later family records identify Providenciales as his birthplace.
Samuel was one of ten children. His early years on the islands were brief, as members of the family eventually relocated to other islands and countries in search of greater opportunities.
In 1923, Samuel entered the United States through Miami, Florida, aboard the steamship Maysic Alice. It was in Miami that he met Iva Rolle, who would become his wife and lifelong companion.
Samuel and Iva were married on January 16, 1928. Their union was blessed with fourteen children, and together they established a large family whose descendants would extend across several generations.
Iva predeceased Samuel by more than three decades, but the family they created remained at the centre of his life.
On December 1, 1953, Samuel received his Certificate of Naturalization, formally becoming a citizen of the United States.
Samuel built his working life around construction. He was recognised within the family as a skilled carpenter and mason whose abilities contributed to several notable buildings and properties throughout South Florida.
His work included Barry College, the Miami Beach home of Al Capone, Touby Painting, Young Plastering Company and the Associated Medical Institute, identified in his funeral program as Hialeah Hospital. He also assisted in building private homes throughout Dade County, Florida.
Through his hands and craftsmanship, Samuel contributed to the physical growth of the community in which he lived and worked.
Faith remained an important part of Samuel’s life.
On December 31, 1943, he joined St. Marks Baptist Church, then located at 324 N.W. 16th Street in Miami. He was baptised in 1944 by the late Reverend Joseph Smith.
Samuel later joined Mt. Olivette Missionary Baptist Church with his wife and family. During his years there, the church was led by Reverend Sampson, Reverend Isaac C. Mickens, Reverend McCloud and Reverend Franklin Clark.
His family remembered “The Good Lord” as one of Samuel’s characteristic expressions and a reflection of the faith that accompanied him throughout his life.
Although Samuel made his home in Florida, he never lost his connection to the islands of his birth.
During his later years, he continued travelling to Providenciales, where he spent time with relatives and renewed treasured family memories. He was remembered as a dreamer with a strong sense of adventure.
Samuel enjoyed exploring unfamiliar paths around Providenciales and searching for what he believed might be hidden treasures. Although that particular dream was never realised, it revealed the curiosity, imagination and adventurous spirit that remained with him throughout his life.
Samuel Alexander Williams died at home on Monday, January 1, 1990. He was surrounded by his family as his life peacefully came to its close. He was 83 years old.
His funeral service was held on Saturday, January 6, 1990, at Mt. Olivette Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. Reverend Franklin Clark, pastor of the church, officiated. Samuel was laid to rest at Dade Memorial Park.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Rolle Williams, and his sister, Elmenia Rebecca Williams.
A LEGACY REMEMBERED
“His life is remembered through the family he raised, the homes and institutions he helped build, and the enduring connection he maintained with Providenciales.”
Elwood C. Williams, Earl P. Williams, Edwin U. Williams, Carl W. Williams and Samuel I. Williams.
Thelma L. Mitchell, Uellen Williams, Myrtis E. Thomas, Ione W. Smith, Maxine B. Sutton and Adriane E. Bailey.
Christine S. Williams, Elwood C. Williams II (deceased), Kimberly Y.B. Williams, Roland N. Williams, Willie Mae Mitchell, Marcella D. Mitchell, La Verne Mitchell, Eldridge L. Mitchell, Keith O. Mitchell, Kevin O. Mitchell, Joe T. Hicks, Brenda L. Pratt, Carol J. Grubbs, Cheryl A. Grubbs, Charlene D. Grubbs, Debra V. Rollins, Dondrey M. Williams, Bennie L. Thomas Jr., Elwood N. Thomas, Mario Smith, Mia S. Smith, Erica Williams, Shaqueeta Williams, Edward E. Johnson, Lizette Johnson, Yvette Johnson, Pearson Sutton and Angela L. Williams.
Danette Williams, Roland Williams II, Rukea Williams, Tyrone Dancy, Ray Mathis, Monica Mitchell, Heman Willis, Eldridge Mitchell, Lynaldridge Mitchell, Eldridge Mitchell II, Quinten Mitchell, Delicia Hicks, Sabrina Hicks, Charlene D. Curry, Waverly Futrell, Alicia Morgan, Treniece Mc Zeke, Lamarr Mc Zeke, Anissa Gillum, Antonio L. Oliver, Antran Bryant, Tomorrow Fortune, Nicole Fortune, Dondrey Williams II, Aundrey Williams, Bennie L. Thomas III, Gregory Dixon, Albert J. Dixon and Laquana Arnold.
The funeral program records 29 great-grandchildren. One name on the surviving copy is no longer legible because of damage to the document.
Kiyana Couch, Mark Couch and Danzelle Hope.
Olive Attenborough of Miami, Florida; Eva Hall of Nassau, Bahamas; Flossie Morley of Nassau, Bahamas; Priscilla Rigby of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and Vera Williams of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bennie L. Thomas, Russell Mitchell, Eward Smith, Eschol Sutton and Horace Bailey.
Jannie B. Williams.
Pamela Francis, Shawanda Francis and Theresa Newman.
James Williams, Hewitt Brown, Eloise Cox, Donna Francis, Scotty Rigby, Albury Rigby, Kathlyn Misick, Shirley Adderly, Chris Williams, Curline Rigby Cox, Merline Adderly, Patsy Coakley, Jackie Coakley, Jimmy Coakley, Johnny Coakley and Cleveland Kenny.
Obituary author: Not stated in the supplied funeral programme.
Primary source: Funeral programme for Samuel A. Williams, January 6, 1990.
Supplementary source: “Profile of Samuel A. Williams,” Joseph Williams Family Reunion booklet, Family Edition 2019.
Editorial approach: Where the records differ, the funeral programme has been followed as the source produced closest to Samuel’s lifetime.
Portrait: Williams family archive.
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