ST. PETERSBURG – Generations of family and friends celebrated Mother Queenie Williamson’s 100th birthday Friday, April 1 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. Robert Ward tends his flock.
Born April 13, 1916, in Boston, Ga., Mother Queenie was the youngest of 12 children. After moving to Florida with her family at the age of six, she started taking music lessons at church/school. As a teen she attended a music school in Sanford, Fla.
She met and married the love of her life, the late Pastor Samuel Williamson, who later founded Grand Central Progressive Baptist Church. Mother Queenie has touched many lives in her church and in the community. At 100 years old, she is still the musician at Grand Central, a position she had served in for more than 65 years.
She served in the Union Foreign Association, a group of 50 Baptist churches, as the secretary of the women’s department, and an advisor to the younger women. Mother Queenie was also the musician for Union Number One Ministry’s all women’s choir.
During this wonderful celebration, she received birthday greetings from her family, church, friends, the community and even the Mayor Rick Kriseman.
Mother Queenie has 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchild and 12 great great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
