Mignant Milistine Williams, affectionately known as Milutine, Milu, and Tina, was born in the historic village of Old Road in Saint Kitts on September 22, 1944. She was the second of two daughters born to her late mother, Louise ‘Baby’ Walker. Mignant received her early education at the Old Road Chapel School. Life in those days was tough, but Mignant survived. Her journey took a drastic turn in her early teens when her mother succumbed to a brief illness. Mignant and her sister, Vercellie, were left to practically care for themselves. Thankfully they were lovely and likeable girls and so many people in the village were kind to them. Vercellie’s father, Frederick Johnson became the father figure in Mignant’s life and ensured that she and her sister were always fed. They grew up like two peas in a pod.

Mignant found employment in the sugar industry at Wingfield Estate, Old Road. She also made time to socialize with her sister and a few village girlfriends. Together they loved to party, enjoyed moonlight walks, and partook various adventures. Her friends describe her as easy going, loving, caring, and genuine. The twinkle in her eyes, her pink lips, beautiful smile, and soft curly hair were among her striking features.

Mignant became a teenage mother and from the onset, took her role as mother seriously. Sadly, her first two sons died as infants. She was understandably devastated, but her resolute spirit kept her strong. As a single woman, she later became the mother of three other children, namely: Nyola (Serene), Cordelle (Bobby) and Vernard (Vernie). Later in life, she met and married Roy Williams (deceased). That union bore one son, Cleon (Cle). Mignant’s four children were her pride and joy. That pride and joy were extended to her grandchildren, great granddaughter, nieces and nephews. Although Mignant worked hard she did not acquire great means but whatever she had was shared with her family.

Prior to her marriage to Roy, Milu worked many odd jobs in St. Kitts. When the opportunity presented itself in the early 70s, Milu bravely journeyed to Puerto Rico and accepted a housekeeping job there. Her natural love for cleaning and cooking made her loved by all her employers. After some time, Milu returned home and settled into the role of housewife. Her husband was the breadwinner and she kept the house. Those were not the days with washing machines, so every day Milu was seen washing her husband and children’s clothes by hand. She was a busy woman: always washing, cleaning, and cooking. Oh, Milu could cook!! We miss her ‘cookup’, cereals, soup, fried fish and Johnny cakes. It was not uncommon to hear her melodious alto voice bellowing her favorite hymns and love songs while doing her daily tasks. Jim Reeves remained her absolute favorite. His rendition of “This World is Not My Home” became her anthem in her golden years.

During the early 1980s, Milistine migrated to St. Maarten with her husband Roy, and her eldest son, Cordelle. Those were some tough years for her family. Her husband and son were overworked and underpaid, but Milu kept it together, making do with little. She knew how to stretch a dollar. It was always a delight when Milu came home to St. Kitts to visit us. She brought boxes of goodies: clothes, household items, toys, and food. We were always amazed by how she did it with the little she had. We say, a million times over, “Thank you”.

A welcoming shift came in the early 90s when Milu’s only daughter, Nyola, relocated to the US Virgin Islands. Over time, Milu and the other children joined Nyola and St. Thomas became their new home. Milu performed janitorial duties in several local and government agencies. Her last employment before retiring was at Cyril E. King airport. Again, it was hard work, but that was what Milu was used to. At work, she made many friends and acquaintances which made the daily tasks lighter.

Milistine was not without medical challenges. When those challenges compromised her ability to live independently, her son Vernie encouraged her to join him here in Brenham to pursue better healthcare options. The siblings agreed, and Milutine accepted the offer gladly. She resided with Vernie and his family until her declining health necessitated that she transitioned to a nearby nursing home. In her usual gracious spirit, she always expressed her gratitude for the opportunities that she had and the care that she received from her family and caregivers. Milu accepted the hand that she was dealt with. She always said that God knows best. She loved Jesus and looked longingly to spending eternity with Him in her “home beyond the blue”. On September 4th, nineteen days before her 82nd birthday, she fell asleep peacefully in the arms of her Savior. Her labor here is ended, her life on earth is through. Surely, she will be terribly missed and will live in our hearts forever.