Mrs. Minnie Marie Henderson Williams-Cheney

In Loving Memory Of; Life is a road that winds among the hills of time. With every turn in the road an old view vanishes, and a new view appears. Minnie Henderson entered the world on January 3, 1935. She was the 4th of 11 children born to Lee Henderson and Jessie Lee Cooper in Olmsted, Illinois. She grew up in Olmsted, Illinois. Minnie received her primary education from Washington School in Olmsted. She also continued her adult education from Northwestern, Cass and Cody High Schools in Detroit. Minnie was a lifelong learner, and took classes at WCCC, Wayne State University and Madonna University. She received her high school diploma from Northwestern High School. Minnie was united with Charles Jesse Williams Sr., and married on April 4, 1950 in Metropolis, Illinois. Five children were born to their union. They moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1951 with their firstborn. Minnie was a woman of God. She joined the New Greater St. John Baptist Church in her early 20s, on the west side of Detroit. She performed many jobs in church as an usher, joined the senior choir, and was one of the Mothers of the church. Later she became a member of Grace Community Church located on W. Chicago in Detroit. Minnie worked on several committees at Grace Community Church. She was also a woman of service and community. She was a member of American Business Women Association, Widows with Wisdom, Alzheimer's Association, Citizens for Better Health, Retired Citizens, Neighborhood Legal Services, Mini Police Station, Block Club Captain and a Street Patrol Volunteer. Minnie was a stay at home Mother for 20 years. When she was free to work outside the home, she took a civil service exam, and was hired as an IRS worker and supervisor. She worked 24 years for the IRS Treasury Department, and received numerous outstanding performance awards, and recognitions before her retirement in 1993. She found love again and changed her name to Cheney. She married Ollie Mack Cheney in 1975, who preceded her in death after 18 of marriage. They were a devoted couple, who loved their organic garden for many years, and traveled together to many places. Minnie became good friends with her stepdaughter, Katherine and Mack's niece, Stella. Minnie possessed excellent homemaking, entrepreneur and stewardship skills. She had a giving spirit and left to remember the Christian values she imparted in her children, grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances. Her claim to fame was her love of God and others, cooking, baking, quilting, sewing, and canning. She was a financial guru, comparison shopper, a gardener, teacher, leader, reader, an activist, role model and mentor.

Mrs. Minnie Marie Henderson Williams-Cheney

January 3, 1935 - November 12, 2019