I am the first born daughter of Elijah Richardson, Jr. and Freddie Mae Price who were married in October 1948. My birth took place in the middle of the night, just past midnight, during the early morning hours of March 25, 1949 in Grandview, Texas. My arrival into this world took place in the front bedroom of my paternal Grandmother, Mrs. Lillie Bell Jackson Richardson Woodruff Higgins. Dr. Thomas, a white physician in Grandview, was in attendance, not a midwife as was customary. My grand mother "Mama Lillie" told me that Dr. Thomas didn't do house calls for African American patients during those times. My Grand Mother was a prominent citizen of Grandview and a force to be reckoned with, so he made the exception and delivered her first grandchild. PLUS she had money with which to pay for his services. Green was the color of patient care in those days.

My sister Gloria Dean Deming and I are the only children from this union. I have one son, Elliott Randolph Williams, Jr. who was born at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Tx. at 2:14 p.m. on April 23, 1973.

I have two daughters from my sister (my nieces), Yvette Chante' and Anita Cherese. I have been married twice, to Elliott Randolph Williams, Sr. (1972) and Harold Gene Allen (1989). My lost love was Joe Fobbs, Jr. who passed away at my home on Sunday, September 15, 2002.

My sister, Gloria Dean Richardson Lang Deming, has her own story to tell about how she got from there to here. During her journey, she has given birth to two daughters: Yvette and Anita. My nieces are my daughters...just as my son is Gloria's son. We treat them as brothers and sisters rather than nieces and a nephew.

Elijah Richardson, Jr. (1926 - 1962) was the only son of Elijah Richardson Sr. and Lillie Bell Jackson Richardson. Elijah Sr. was a middle aged widower with 4 children who needed a wife. My grandmother was a 16 year old who wanted to get out of the house and on her own. So, a bargain was struck between the two. That marriage was short-lived. At it's conclusion, Mama Lillie struck out on her own with her infant son, Elijah, Jr. and her youngest step daughter Winnie Richardson, who was 10 or 11 at that time. Aunt Winnie stayed with Mama Lillie throughout her growing up years and called her Mama. Aunt Winnie's children are Henry Lee, Cissy, Peggy, John, Ricky and Aurelia.

Lillie Bell Jackson (1909 - 1979) was the oldest daughter of Ollie Jackson and Sadie "Mama Sadie" Smith Jackson (? - 1975). "Mama Sadie" was the oldest daughter of Johnny "Papa Johnny" and Matilda Dennis Smith. Matilda Dennis was the oldest daughter of Joe and Lucy Dennis. Joe and Lucy Dennis, who were former slaves, lived in Burleson County, Texas with their young daughter Matilda during the recording of the 1880 Census.

"Mama Sadie" named her first daughter (stillborn), grand daughter(Sadie Pearl), and her first great grand daughter (me-Sadie Ella) Sadie. Mama Sadie was married to John "Mr. Blue" Malone before I was born. He is the only great grand father that I can recall. Mr. Blue was the son of Dolly "Mama Dolly" Malone. Mr. Blue, Mama Dolly, and Papa Johnny were all alive during my childhood and I remember them well. Mama Dolly died sometime during the 50's and Mr. Blue died during the 60's.

Freddie Mae Price (1928 - 2004) was the only daughter of Freddie Price and Bertha Mae Shaw. Bertha Mae Shaw Price (1905 - 1986) was the oldest daughter of Henry Shaw and Callie Anderson. Henry Shaw was the son of Carolina and Mary "Renza" Shaw who were former slaves in South Carolina. Before the taking of the 1870 Census, Carolina and Renza lived in/near the Swimming Pens Township, Sumter County, North Carolina. By the time of the taking of the 1870 Census, Carolina and Mary "Renza" had settled with their family of 7 children in Marlin, Falls County, Texas.