Obituary - Roosevelt "Rosie" Williams

Roosevelt "Rosie" Williams, 78, of McComb, Miss., passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011 after a long battle with cancer at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb.  Anyone who ever knew Rosie, knew he was an honest, hard-working man. He was a member of Bouge Chitto Baptist Church.  Williams enjoyed coon hunting and also raised champion coon dogs.  He was very much a family man that adored spending time with his family and friends, be it a horse show or Sunday dinner.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, La., Williams began training Tennessee Walking horses in 1957 for Richard Mary, Sr., before striking out on his own to open Sleepy Hollow Stables.  Through the years, Williams coached many amateurs, most of who are still riding today.

Williams showed Copy's Sensation and Black Silver on the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas circuits, but it was As Beautiful Does who was the apple of his eye.  Williams became the first black man to win the Pin Oak Horse Show Grand Championship in Houston, Texas aboard the talented mare.

Williams is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Hall Williams of McComb, Miss. Sons: Jerry Williams, Shelbyville, Tenn.; Buck Williams, Athens, Tenn; Frankie Williams, McComb, Miss; Robert and Greg Williams, both of Baton Rouge, La.; Charles Hall, Summit, Miss.; Roosevelt Williams, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.; and two daughters: Lucille Arthur of Arizona and Rose Williams of McComb, Miss. along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many, many friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 10:00-11:00AM with the funeral service immediately following at Young’s Funeral Home, 608 Robb Street, Summit, MS 39666.