ardellia wesley williams
1928-1991
Life Story
Birth and Parentage
Ardellia Wesley Williams was born on October 19, 1928, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Van Wesley (1904–1964) and Alma Cleo Walker Wesley (1907–1969). She was part of a large Wesley family whose roots were deeply tied to farming, church life, and the Saint John community.
Marriage and Family
Ardellia married Lee Henry Williams, Jr. (1932–2007). Their marriage produced a large family, reflecting strong kinship traditions and continuity across generations.
Their children include:
- David Williams
- Charles Williams
- Jeffery Williams
- Johnny Williams
- Clark Williams
- Lee Henry Williams III
- Nenetta Williams
- Carolyn Smith
- Betty Williams
She was also the grandmother and great-grandmother of numerous descendants.
Siblings
As confirmed through obituary records, Ardellia was survived by:
Brothers
- Allen Wesley
- Calvin Wesley
- David Wesley
Sisters
- Louella Harris
- Myrtle Bell Robinson
- Etta Mann
- Elizabeth Madlock
These sibling relationships further connect the Wesley family to multiple interrelated households within Newton County and beyond.
Adult Life
By 1950, Ardellia’s occupation was listed as keeping house, a role that encompassed managing the household and supporting the upbringing of her children. Her life followed the familiar pattern of many women of her generation whose labor sustained family stability and continuity.
Death and Burial
Ardellia Wesley Williams passed away on December 31, 1991, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Funeral services were held at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Committal and interment followed at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.
She is laid to rest at Saint John M.B. Church Graveyard, returning her to the community where her life began.
Sidebar: Migration and Return
Ardellia’s death in Indianapolis and burial in Newton County reflects a common mid-20th-century pattern among Saint John families—migration north for work and opportunity, followed by burial in ancestral church cemeteries. This return underscores the enduring significance of Saint John as a spiritual and familial homeland.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Ardellia Wesley Williams Obituary, Wed, Jan 15, 1992 ·Page 5
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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