Celebration of Life

"A Worthy Woman of God"

Theresa Marie Kilpatrick-Williams

"Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies."

Proverbs 31:10

On Sunday, July 28th, 1957, Theresa Marie Kilpatrick-Williams, affectionately known as Ms. Tee, was born, to Mae "Mary" Ella and G.W. Kilpatrick, on Ellington Airforce Base, in Houston, Texas. She was the second eldest of 6 children. Theresa accepted Christ at an early age and was a devout Christian, all the days of her life. She attended Jefferson Davis High School, in Houston, Texas, and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1975. Following high school, Theresa attended Texas Southern University, where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in Accounting. While attending Jefferson Davis, Theresa met and fell in love with her high school sweetheart and soulmate, Rufus D. Williams, Sr. On February 14th, 1977, they were married. Their union welcomed 3 children: Tanesha, Rufus Jr., and Reginald.

As an adolescent, Theresa had many interests: cosmetology, compassionate care, mathematics, and entrepreneurship. However, at age 13, she realized her passion for teaching. Theresa was presented with an opportunity for enrollment into the Distributive Education Program, which allowed students to work part-time while still attending school. While in the Distributive Education Program, Theresa worked as a Teacher's Aide, Library Aide, and Tutor. Her love for mathematics and numbers led Theresa to careers with Getty Oil and Shell Oil, where she worked as a full-time bookkeeper in their general ledger and payroll departments. Theresa's gift for ensuring that everyone feels seen and heard led her to a career with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, where she served as an advocate in the Aged and Disabled Services Division. While Theresa enjoyed working with numbers and advocating for others, she couldn't deny her passion for teaching. Recognizing the community's need for compassionate childcare, in 1990, Theresa opened Tee's Tiny Tot's, a home-based childcare center in Houston's Third Ward Community. Initially operating on a part-time basis, in 1993, Tee's Tiny Tots expanded to full-time operations. This allowed Theresa to be a stay-at-home Wife and Mother, following the birth of her youngest child, Reginald.

Theresa enjoyed the benefits of entrepreneurship. Caring for her family while balancing her career was an accomplishment of which she was most proud. She admired the flexibility of entrepreneurship but was mindful of her responsibility to make wise and prudent decisions, both in the best interest of business and her family, whom she adored. Operating a childcare facility was Theresa's dream come true. Tee's Tiny Tots was a fixture in the Third Ward Community. In 2009, Tee's Tiny Tots was selected as a front cover feature for Greater Southeast Management District, Volume 14. Tee's Tiny Tots was also selected as a "Texas Rising Star Vendor" a competitive membership program, administered by Collaborative for Children. Childcare centers must meet strict qualifications to be selected for membership and recognition. Tee's Tiny Tots was more than a childcare center; it was a partner to the Third Ward Community, often providing childcare services at low or no cost to families who otherwise could not afford care. Children were not only educated at Tee's Tiny Tots, but they were also nourished, mind and body. Tee's Tiny Tots has produced students that continued on to graduate high school as valedictorians, an honor for which Tee's Tiny Tots received recognition in 2010.

Theresa. Ms. Tee. Daughter. Christian. Sister. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Great Confidant. Entrepreneur. Sunday School Teacher. Aunt. Cousin. Friend to all who were blessed to receive the fervor of her steady love.

Theresa is preceded in death by her parents, Mae "Mary" Ella and G.W. Kilpatrick. Theresa leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 49 years, Rufus D. Williams, Sr.; Daughter, Tanesha M. Williams; sons, Rufus D. Williams, Jr., and Reginald D. Williams. Grandchildren, Toni-Logan Williams, Jayce Thomas, Rufus Darnell Williams, III, Maddox D. Williams, Denim J. Williams, Chance-Darnell S. Williams, and Indi-Nicole M. Williams; Great grandson, Ryland J.; Sisters, Kathryn D. Kilpatrick, Mary M. Kilpatrick-Pinson, and Margaret Kilpatrick-Holdman; Brothers, Gerald Wayne Kilpatrick, Jr. and Anthony Q. Kilpatrick, and a host of relatives and friends.