Celebrating the Life of Mrs. Jacqueline Cecile Williams Gaither, Sunrise October 14, 1944- Sunset August 21, 2014, Thursday, August 28, 2014, 11:00 AM, West Side Community CME Church, 2114 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, Reverend Andrew C. Loyd, Jr. Pastor, Officiating, Reverend Reginald G. Barnes, Eulogist

Amicable Keen Aunt,
When I think about memories we shared, it was never a dull moment; you always had a smile that would
brighten anyone's day. Your hugs were always filled with love. You always made sure I was doing great in school; if I was not, you would always give me that mean look, tell me the importance of education, then give me that priceless smile, gracious hug, and tell me you are only telling me this because you love me. I'll never forget you. I'll cherish our memories, till we meet again. Rest peacefully. Now that you
are with your parents and brother I'm quite sure you will. I know heaven has the biggest smile. I love
you! Love Always,
Stephanie C. Hood
The West Side Community C.M.E. Church Steward Board
The West Side Community C.M.E. Church Stewardess Board
~~~
Sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. & 1962 Class of Athens High & Industrial
To honor the memory ofJACQUELINE WILLIAMS GAITHER, please make a donation to: "R. B. Shorts Scholarship Fund"
West Side Community C.ME. Church 2114 Martin Luther King, Jr. , Drive, S. W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
The Family of Jacqueline Williams Gaither expresses their appreciation and heartfelt thankfulness to all of you for your commitment of love and prayers during this time of bereavement. We are deeply grateful to the staffs of Emory Hospital, Clifton Road; DeKalb Medical Center, North Decatur Road; and Vitas Hospice Care in Stockbridge for their excellent service rendered. May God continue to bless you, as He has blessed us during our moment of grief.

WILLIAMSO MORTUARY & RIVERDALE CREMATORY "Where Our Family Puts Your Family First " Two Locations to Serve You

Coy C. Williamson Chapel 1410 Highway 138, SW Riverdale, Georgia 30296 (770) 907-8548 Phone (770) 907-8408 Fax

Gardenview Chapel 605 Olympic Drive Athens, Georgia 30601 (706) 546-1125 Phone (706) 546-1122 Fax

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~~ October 14, 1944

~~ August 21, 2014

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11:00AM
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2114 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive, SW Atlanta, GA 30310
Reverend Andre C. Loyd, Jr., Pastor Officiating
Reverend Reginald G. Barnes Eulo

The Life of
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The trumpets sounded, the angels assembled and the gates of heaven opened on the morning of Thursday, August 21 , 2014, to welcome a faithful servant of God, Jacqueline ("Jackie") Cecile Williams Gaither. Jackie was born in Athens, Georgia on October 14, 1944 and was the oldest daughter ofthe late Celuther and Lillie B. Williams; and sibling of the late Russell Williams and Janice Williams James.
Jackie attended elementary and high school in Athens, and graduated from Athens High and Industrial in 1962. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Clark College, Atlanta, GA in 1966, and earned a Master of Arts Degree from Georgia State University. Jackie was an educator for 33 years, beginning her career as a young energetic individual in Watkinsville, Oconee County, Georgia, where she taught fourth grade at Ed Stroud School. After spending two years in that setting, she moved back to Atlanta and taught 2"d thru 6th grades at D. H. Stanton Elementary School for 31 years. Jackie retired from the classroom on June 8, 1999; she never retired from being an educator.
After she came to Atlanta to attend Clark College, Jackie met a young lady named Maggie Louise Gaither who lived in the same neighborhood as Jackie's aunt, Virginia and uncle, Dr. Horace Tate. Their friendship introduced Jackie to John E. Gaither and West Side
Community C.M.E. Church. On November 23, 1968, John E. Gaither and Jacqueline C. Williams married. For the next 45+ years, the couple lived Ephesians
5:31: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." The joy ofthis union is their son, Julian C. Gaither. Rarely was a sentence spoken by Jackie that she did not mention how proud she was of him, his achievements and when she had to redirect him. Jackie nurtured and continued to follow Julian's growth and development, mentoring even until her transition. Proud to be mother-in-law to Lesley, she and Julian made her a grandmother to three grandsons: Jonathan, Joshua, and
Gabriel. Jackie truly loved her family . Her love for Jesus and commitment to serve the church was evident in her service. Jackie began her Christian walk at Ebenezer
Baptist Church, Athens, Georgia. She joined West Side Community C.M.E. Church in 1968, under the pastorate Reverend Alvin L. Dopson. At the close of life, Jackie was an active member of the Stewardess Board, Church Announcers Guild, co-coordinator of The 55 Plus Ministry, and served as church and quarterly conference secretary. She has also served as an advisor to the young adult and acolyte ministries. Retirement allowed her the opportunity to blend her melodious soprano voice in the choirs of West Side and The Voices of the Sixth Episcopal District choir. Jackie was elected delegate to the Georgia Annual Conference for many years and would attend even when not serving in that role. She was a charter member of Koinonia, the young adult ministry organized under the pastorate of Reverend John L. Thompson, Sr. In February 1989 Jackie and the love ofher life, John, were selected as the frrst "Couple of the Year" by the A.L.D. Courtesy Guild. March 16, 2014, the honor of being named West Side's "Woman ofthe Year" was bestowed upon her during the annual Women' s
Day service. Understanding the importance of studying God's Word, Jackie was a contributing, researching student in Sunday School, Noon and
Evening Bible study. Travel and sickness were the only reasons she would not be present for worship service and all special programs. Her love and support of the education of children never stopped. From preschool to graduate school, Jackie and John would be present to witness
and celebrate all momentous achievements. Jackie' s Russian Tea recipe, never duplicated, always appreciated, was hers alone. Others can make the tea, but it just does not taste
the same. West Side will also miss "Let me take personal privilege", "I don' t mean any hann y' all", her attention to details, her tears ofjoy,
her essence, and her presence. Jackie held membership in the Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA), and served as secretary to the Atlanta Retired
Educators Association (AREA); National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP), The Georgia Association of Parliamentarians (GAP), and
was the secretary ofthe Atlanta Unit of GAP. Jackie became a member of the oldest female African-American Greek letter organization - Alpha, Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., on
March 4, 1984 through Nu Lambda Omega Chapter. Jackie served faithfully in Nu Lambda Omega for 30 consecutive years. As the Chapter's NLO Education Advancement Foundation (EAF) Captain, she lead the membership in successful capital campaigns to support Alpha Kappa Alpha' s Educational Advancement Foundation. She served as Parliamentarian, Assistant Parliamentarian, Nominating Committee Chairman, and Vice Chairman of the By-laws Committee. She served on the Education Committee, Black Family Committee, and she was a faithful member of the Nu Lambda Omega Ensemble. Jackie was also a dedicated member ofthe Chapter's Literary Guild and she enjoyed traveling with the Sorority, to the Boule, Leadership, Regional, Cluster Conferences and Chapter Retreats. One of Jackie's proudest moments in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. happened in 2009 when she was inducted into the Silver Star Club for 25 years of service. Jackie received 3 Silver Star Crowns, one during the Metro Atlanta Founders Day Celebration, one during the South Atlantic Regional Conference and then the following year at the Boule. She wore all her crowns gracefully. In January 2010, Jackie became a Life
Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As a member of the Pearls ofPurpose Foundation, Inc., established by Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Inc., Jackie supported the educational and philanthropic endeavors by raising at least $1000.00 annually earning her membership into the Thousandaire Club. She looked forward to attending the Annual Pink Pearl Mother-Daughter Luncheon, where she wore her beautiful hats (a different one each year) as she hosted friends and family at her table. She enjoyed dancing with "Honey Do" John at the Annual Pink
Pizzazz, formal Affair. Jackie's memory will be cherished by her husband, John E. Gaither; son, Chaplain, Major Julian C. and Lesley Gaither; grandsons:
Jonathan, Joshua, and Gabriel; sister, Janice Williams James; Aunts: Venida T. Tidwell, Ernestine B. Lincoln, Silver Springs, MD, Virginia B. Tate, Atlanta, GA, and Johnella Barnett, Oakland, CA; Niece, Juanita Williams Kendall, Decatur; four great nieces, two great nephews and one great-great niece; Elder Albert A. Gaither, father-in-law; her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, and many, many friends.

~~~
Reverend Andre C. Loyd, Jr., Pastor Officiating
Reverend Reginald G. Barnes Eulogist
Prelude
Process1 ona1............................................................................................. ""w'V'e're March.1ng to zton"
Anthem ..................................... "Lift Up Your Heads 0' Ye Gates"...............Choir/Congregation
Prayer. ...................................................................................... Reverend Stephen J. Delaine, Pastor College Park C.M.E. Church
Scripture Reading: Old Testament ......................... ... Psalm 24..................Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason, Pastor Trinity C.M.E. Church, Augusta

New Testament ...................... Romans 8:31,39.........................Reverend James H. Sims, Pastor Shiloh Baptist Church, Atlanta

Musical Selection... ..................... ...... "Total Praise"..............................West Side Combined Choir

Reflections

Church.......Sis. Louise P. Chambers & Reverend John L. Thompson Work........................ ................................................Mr. Roland J. Yates Sorority..................Ms. Cynthia Parks, Nu Lambda Omega President Family...........Jon athan Gaither & Ch aplain, Major Julian C. Gaither

Silent Reading of the Obituary

Solo........................................................... ............. .............................. ......... ....Ms. Angela Mathews

Eulogy..................................................................................... Reverend Reginald G. Barnes, Pastor Brown Memorial C .M.E. Church Louisville, Kentucky

Acknowledgements ........................................................................... Mrs. Betty Brown Williamson

Recessional ..................................................................................................... "Ride On King Jesus"

Postlude

Westview Cemetery 1680 Westview Drive, Southwest
Atlanta, Georgia

L.L. Napier Fellowship Hall West Side Community C.M.E. Church