Azinith Thernell Williams

Azinith Thernell Williams, 70,  was called to eternal peace on Sunday, December 26, 2011 in Shelby, North Carolina.  Azinith was born to the late Albert and Mary Ethel Bell in Crisfield, Maryland on January 12, 1941.

Azinith was a graduate of Carter G. Woodson, “Class of 58.”  Shortly after graduation she attended Delaware State University in Delaware and then later trained as a CNA at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland where she worked for several years. Upon returning  to Crisfield, Azinith worked at Rubberset , trained at Eastern Correctional Institution and later worked for Somerset County Department of Social Services and for SHORE UP, Inc. with the Adult Medical Day Care in Westover, Maryland from where she retired.

Azinith was married to the late Grafton Williams, Sr. on Dec. 31, 1966.

Azinith was very involved in her community as she became a voice for the African American seafood workers. As a result of her father, the late Albert Bell being President of the Seafood Worker’s Union.  Azinith became involved in collecting memorabilia relating to the African American roles in the seafood industry. She was an active member of the Somerset County Arts Council and was very instrumental in several exhibits throughout the area in regards to African American History in the seafood industry, especially with the seafood festivals.  After doing a presentation at the Baltimore Aquarium Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, she was invited to have her memorabilia on display at the Reginald B.  Lewis African American Museum in Baltimore ,which includes several local seafood workers. Azinith was actually a part of the ground breaking ceremony for the new museum at that time.   Additionally, she was involved in “It Takes A Village.”

Azinith also portrayed “Miss Zinny” a fictional African American character who characterized the history of seafood workers and African American history and she did it very well. Her greatest accomplishment was that she graduated in 2003 with dual degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Salisbury University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

She leaves to mourn her loss: one sister Mamie Bell of  Brentwood, New York; six stepsons, Grafton Williams Jr. of Princess Anne, Maryland, Donald Williams (Kathy) of Lampasa, Texas,  Quinton Williams of Hagerstown, Maryland, Michael (Karen) and Mitchell Sterling of Baltimore, Maryland and Ivan Lankford Of College Park, Maryland;  eight step-daughters, Ann Johnson (Samuel) of Upper Hill, Maryland, Adalyn Tilghman (Harold) of Salisbury, Maryland, Cynthia Williams, Selena Maddox and Lynette Cullen all of  Crisfield, Maryland, Barbara Washington- Smalling of Prince Georges, County, Maryland, Diane Washington-White (Albert) of Princess Anne, Maryland and Marvel Wedington of Raleigh, North Carolina; several step-grandchildren, great-grand children, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Grafton Williams, Sr. and three sisters, Tyeese Caldwell, Sarah Bell and Vincedora Bell.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Crisfield, Maryland.