Canel (Jacobs) Williams

Canel Jacobs-Williams began her 83 years of life in Burnt Corn, Conecuh County, AL. Moving to Pensacola when she was eight years old, she was an attendee of Pensacola public schools, including L.A. Kirksey Elementary and John A. Gibson Elementary, and graduated from the old Booker T. Washington High School as part of the Class of 1958.

After graduation, she attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and received her Bachelor’s in Mathematics. Following this achievement, she attended Purdue University in Indiana, receiving her Masters degree in mathematics. 

Canel joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Iota Omega Chapter, in 1986; after having attained 25 years of service, she earned Silver Star status, and became a Life Member in 2019. She served as a member of the Nominating Committee and as Charmette and Debutante Ball Chairperson,  and was a champion of fundraising as chair of the Relay for Life Committee, raising over $100,000 in support of the American Cancer Society and for Breast Cancer Awareness during her reign, in addition to being the chapter’s representative to the American Cancer Society and serving as Steering Committee Chairperson for Pensacola Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. As well as her service as Financial Recording Secretary for 12 years, being selected to serve on the South Atlantic Regional Conference Time and Place Committee, and being chosen as Delta Iota Omega Chapter Soror of the Year in 1995, Canel served an almost-unprecedented three terms as Chapter President.

In addition to her many other endeavors, Canel  served as President of the local chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, was a member of the Order Of the Eastern Star (Oziel Chapter), served as President of the continuing observation of the B.T. Washington Class of 1958, and was a member of the Red Hat Society, Sister To Sister Red Hatters chapter. 

Canel was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Exie Lee Johnson Jacobs and Wiley Jacobs, Sr.; her siblings, Curtis Jacobs, Wiley Jacobs Jr. (Reba Shine Jacobs), Nora Gayle Jacobs Spencer (Anthony Spencer); and daughter, Connie LaFran Green (Leon Green). She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her loss her loving husband of 40 years, Ralph Williams, Sr., daughter Sonya Benton Rutledge, (Pensacola,FL) , stepdaughters Chrystal Williams (Virginia Beach, VA) and Carmelita Bradley (Atlanta, GA), stepson Ralph Williams, Jr. (Port Orange, FL), grandchildren Connie L. Rutledge, Jasmine Rutledge, Willie Rutledge II, Chanel Rutledge (all of Pensacola, FL), Christopher Green (Dumfries, VA), Courtney Williams (Daytona Beach, FL), Kendra Williams and David Williams (Port Orange, FL), Quartez Bradley and Chaz Bradley (Atlanta, GA), and ten great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Isaac Jacobs and Padrica Jacobs (Pensacola, FL), in addition to numerous cousins, extended family, and devoted friends. 

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