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Central District’s Williams remembered as business — and neighborhood — leader

Williams in a Juneeteenth parade (Image: CHS/Central District News)

DeCharlene Williams, one of the most visible advocates of preservation and inclusive growth in the Central District in her decades heading the Central Area Chamber of Commerce, has died, her family announced this weekend.

“This morning at 9:06 AM I lost one of my best friends, my mom DeCharlene Williams to uterine sarcoma cancer,” her daughter Rita Green posted Sunday.

According to this biography from the Seattle Times, Williams was born in Texas in 1943. She founded the chamber in 1983 and had operated it over the decades as a proponent for the Central District businesses and for the area’s Black community. The chamber has been the sponsor of the neighborhood’s annual Juneteenth celebration including the parade where Williams made regular appearances.

Her career went beyond community festivals. As an advocate and center of communications, her work with the chamber and her DeCharlene Beauty Shop and Boutique represented a core to the rapidly developing neighborhood. Williams owned the E Madison building the chamber and the beauty shop called home and didn’t sell even as development rose around it. Today, a six-story, 50-unit mixed-use apartment building is under construction next door where the old tire shop used to stand at 22nd and Madison. The 1956-built, single-story retail building remains.

Central Area Chamber of Commerce and D'Charlene's

Williams marks the second recent death of prominent members of the Central District’s elder generation of civic leaders. In April, 19th and Madison’s Mt. Zion marked the passing of Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney.

No public memorials or services have yet been announced for Williams.

UPDATE: The Seattle Medium has published its obituary about Williams and reports that she will be honored with Homegoing Services on June 2n at 11:00 AM at Mt. Zion. “One of William’s primary focuses around economic and community development is what she called ‘micro-businesses,’ typically understood as enterprises with five or fewer employees, or in some cases, no employees other than self-employed owners,” the Seattle Medium writes. “‘Hands that Touch Builds Unity’ was her motto. She wanted to bring the Black Community together to create economic independence.”

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sojohnative
sojohnative
5 years ago

Ms. Williams walked her talk.
I’ve lived several blocks up the street from her shop on 22nd for 15 years and after several years of passing by her place and having exchanged pleasantries, I came to look forward and valuing seeing her.
I will indeed miss her presence.
My condolences to her family.

Eric
Eric
5 years ago

She is a central district icon. RIP Ms. Williams.

Michael
Michael
5 years ago

So sad to hear this. The neighborhood will miss her.

Norma Renison
Norma Renison
5 years ago

Such a sad, sad day to learn of
DeCharlene’s passing. What a pioneer and true friend of Seattle We’ve been so fortunate; her legacy is immense! I shall miss her dearly. Fond affection and remembrance, kind and gentle spirit. Norma

Stacia O.
Stacia O.
5 years ago
Reply to  Norma Renison

She called me an angel .. she tried to include a delegate from canon House every year.. The last 3 I stood Ready to take the stage .. next to Norma.. .. darn stage builers.. … we stood around the weak spots .. lol… so we painted it black.. baaaad idea.. NORMA if you are out there.. Canon house is me again.. Chamber .. whatever I can do.. she didn’t want us to quit.. ever.. My flowers.. Thank you!!! Come get me!!! I will miss her
..The community will miss her
AND DO WE CONTINUE junetenth at Pratt?

Mutha Mary
Mutha Mary
5 years ago

A remarkable, powerful and lovely woman. She will be missed by this community.

joanna
5 years ago

She was not ready for this, and it was confirmed by her daughter in the Seattle Times story.

Stacia
Stacia
5 years ago

She called me an angel .. she tried to include a delegate from canon House every year.. The last 3 I stood Ready to take the stage .. next to Norma.. .. darn stage builers.. … we stood around the weak spots .. lol… so we painted it black.. baaaad idea.. NORMA if you are out there.. Canon house is me again.. Chamber .. whatever I can do.. she didn’t want us to quit.. ever.. My flowers.. Thank you!!! Come get me!!! I will miss her
..The community will miss her