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Rena Belle Williams was born on August 14, 1941 in Texarkana, Texas to the late Elmer and Georgia Bruce. She was the youngest of five children. She attended Dunbar High School and graduated in 1959. From there, she attended Prairie View A & M College in Prairie View, Texas and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
Rena married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, John Q. Williams on July 20, 1963. They immediately moved to Pomona, California with the hopes of better teaching opportunities in southern California. In 1964, Rena became the first African American teacher hired in the Upland Unified School District. She taught at Magnolia Elementary for thirty-five years. During this time Rena attended the University of California, Riverside and received a credential in counseling. Rena retired in June of 2000. Rena and John’s union produced a loving and devoted daughter Sondra Rene who was born in 1970 after the couple moved to Alta Loma. Rena and Sondra truly had a special relationship. Sondra was her “Gumdrop” and Rena was her “Sugar Cat”. Rena was involved in several national organizations. She was a chartering member of both the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and The Claremont Area Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. She worked very diligently in the Claremont Area Links for many years. Rena was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a chartering member of the local chapter of City of Hope. Preceding her death she was an active member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fontana where she served as member of the Board of Trustees and was later elevated as a steward. Everyone that knew her will truly miss Rena’s presence. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She loved giving her time to serve and work with others. Rena was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Georgia Bruce of Texarkana, Texas, two brothers, Patrick and Elmer Jr. She is survived by her husband, John Q. Williams, their daughter, Sondra Williams Martin, a Son-in-law, James Dillard Martin III, two grandchildren, James Dillard Martin IV and Eden Rene Martin, two sisters, Geraldine Bruce and Selena Dorsey of Dallas, Texas as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. |
