Mrs. Polly Miller Williams

Polly Mae Miller Williams, the loyal and faithful matriarch, friend, mentor, and community advocate, made her final transition on July 23, 2024, at Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York. After about a year of declining health, she entered into eternal rest at the age of ninety-eight.

She was born on March 26, 1926, in Dougherty County, Georgia. Polly was preceded in death by her father, Peter Joe Miller, Sr.; mother, Lillian Glaze; husband, James Williams, Sr.; children, Barbara Ann, Linda Faye, James Jr., and Allen Bernard; siblings; Charlie Will Miller, Bobby Gene Glaze, and Peter Joe Miller, Jr.; and those reared as siblings, Louis Floyd, Sr., Joseph Floyd, Sr., and Juanita Brockington Golden.

She spent her formative years in the Putney community. Educated in the public schools of Dougherty County, Georgia, Polly attended Putney Elementary School and graduated from Georgia Normal and Agricultural College High School. Her education continued at Georgia Normal and Agricultural College (Albany State University).

As an adolescent, she became a Christian by baptism at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in August 1943. She continued her spiritual growth for years at the Brownsville Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York, until her health no longer permitted active involvement.

Her thirst for better opportunities led her to Harlem, the famous and well-known neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York, in 1947. She married James “Jimmy” Williams in 1948 and, in 1952, moved to the borough of Brooklyn, where she resided on the same block until her death. She faithfully served her community, assuming the roles of mother, grandmother, mentor, advocate, friend, and voice for many. In 2021, Polly was honored as the official “Mother of Breukelen.”

Polly’s deep love for her family, caring spirit, generous heart, and kindness set her apart. She touched the lives of so many people across multiple generations. Her strength was seen in how she handled life challenges and remained steadfast in displaying strong moral principles and integrity. She had a great sense of humor and had many stories about her upbringing in Putney and establishing herself in New York.

She loved making crafts at the VNS Adult Care Center, Queens, New York, socializing with friends, solving crossword puzzles and other word games, and enjoying adventures in frequently visited states, including Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, and Florida. She was fun-loving and enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, Pitty Pat, Pokeno, and visiting casinos.

Her warm smile, gentle touch, and loving presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of being a part of her life. Polly leaves a legacy of fond memories that will be cherished in the hearts of her family: one granddaughter, Amena Francis; eight grandsons, Paul Williams, Warren Williams (Belinda), Shameek Lewis, Trevor Francis, Malcolm Brooks, Michael Brooks, Trevone Caiby, and Travis Williams; one sister, Bernice Glaze; one raised as a sister, Elease Barlow; and two sisters-in-law, Ora Miller, and Lillian Miller. In addition, her legacy lives on in seven great-grandchildren, Jordan, Montreal, Tarnell, Magen, Xzavious, Ma’Riyah, and Margaret; six great-great-grandchildren, Ar’Miya, Javarious, Denver, Jordan, Jayden, and Zaiden; and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Long-term aides and caregivers Mary Robinson, Anitra “Annie” Khan, Brenda Boykin, and Kelly Tucker will hold her companionship, love, and friendship dearly.