Earlene M. Williams

 Earlene Mitchell Williams was born on August 21, 1939, in Camden, Arkansas,

to the late Odessa Bailey Harris and Roy Mitchell. She was the eldest of ten siblings.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from AM&N College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Earlene relocated to Buffalo, New York, where she began a distinguished thirty-three-year career with the Buffalo Public School System as a teacher of Health and Physical Education. She later pursued graduate studies in the Master of Health Education program at the University of Buffalo. Earlene was the proud mother of two children, LaTonia of Montgomery, Alabama, and Eric Sr. of Buffalo, New York.

Throughout her educational career, Earlene taught at Fosdick-Masten Vocational High School, East High School, and South Park High School, from which she retired in June 1997. In addition to teaching Health and Physical Education, she served as a dedicated coach for female varsity volleyball, varsity basketball, track and field, and the Special Olympics team for children with disabilities. Her coaching accomplishments included leading the East High School girls’ varsity basketball team to an undefeated season from 1976–1978, coaching South Park High School to Co-Championship honors in 1985–1986, and guiding the 1986–1987 undefeated team to capture the prestigious Canisius Cup Trophy for girls’ basketball.

Earlene was a devoted and active member of Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William A. Bunton Jr. succeeded by Pastor Ulysees O. Wingo Sr. Throughout the years, she faithfully served in numerous capacities, including Chairperson of Women’s Day and Church Anniversary celebrations, Trustee, Senior Choir President from 1995 to 2007, Delegate to the District and National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, member of the Kitchen Committee, and many other ministries and committees. She continued her service as a Sunday School teacher, substitute Bible class teacher, layperson, member of the Pastor’s Appreciation Committee, J.N. Robinson Scholarship Fund Committee, Advisory Council, Women’s Ministry, and singer in both the Senior and Combined Choirs, always willing to serve wherever needed.

Her community involvement extended far beyond the church. Earlene was a Life Member and Executive Board Member of the NAACP and served as Co-Chairperson of the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). She was also involved with the Buffalo Inner City Golf Program, Antioch Vacation Bible School, organizing nursing home visits, volunteering for WNED Channel 17, and participating in the Women of Buffalo Golf Club, Delaware Women Golf Club, and the Buffalo Interfaith Network of Golfers, where she earned championship titles in each organization.

Among her many recognitions were honors from the City of Buffalo and the Executive Chamber of Mayor Anthony Masiello, which proclaimed June 29, 1997, as “Earlene M. Williams Day.” Former mayor Byron Brown also issued a commendation honoring Earlene M. Williams for her 30 years of service to the students of Buffalo Public Schools and for the numerous winning seasons she achieved as a coach of basketball, track, and volleyball teams.

She also received recognition from the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Teachers Federation, NAACP, the East High School 50-Year Harvard Cup Reunion Committee, the Antioch Baptist Church Senior Choir, the Antioch Baptist Church Anniversary Committee, and the Women of Buffalo Golf Championship, where she became the first African American woman to win the title in 2007.

Earlene was preceded in death by her parents, Odessa Bailey Harris and Roy Mitchell; her stepfather, James Harris; and her brothers, Roy A. Mitchell Jr., J.W. Harris, James Charles Harris, Jimmy Harris, and Andrew Lee Harris.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving daughter, LaTonia of Montgomery, Alabama; her son, Eric Sr. (Kara) of Buffalo, New York; ten grandchildren: Kamauri, Eric Jr., Emohney, Deon, Emaure, Emiah, Lundyn, Daelyn, Maximus, and Ziva; two great-grandchildren, Avah and Londyn; three sisters, Betty Elliot, Linda Hill, and Paula Lewis; four brothers, Fred Patton, Richard Harris, Thomas Mitchell, and Royce Mitchell; along with a host of nieces, nephews, special friends, and her beloved Antioch Baptist Church family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earlene M. Williams, please visit our floral store.