Christell Aden

Christell Williams Aden was born June 7, 1931 in Florence Mississippi, the first of ten children born to the late Hattie Bell Williams and Willie Tillman Williams Sr. Christell Aden attended public school in Jackson MS and graduated from Lanier High School in 1949.

Christell accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at a young age and was baptized at the Enoch Grove Baptist Church, Florence MS. under the Pastorship of the late

Rev J.E. Marsh. While attending Lanier High School, Mama Aden, as she was affectionately known, met her soulmate, the late John W. Aden Sr and the two were married on the same day they graduated from high school, June 3rd 1949.

Rev Aden and Christell remained married for 65 years, and to this union was born six children, Gale, John Jr., Glenn, Marc, Quintin and Chrystal.

Christell and John relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where they joined the Gethsemane Baptist Church under

the leadership of the late Rev. B.F. Colvin. Mama Aden helped to organize the junior church youth

ministry and served as a Deaconess and minister's wife while attending Gethsemane Baptist Church.

Christell Williams Aden was an alumna of Ursuline College, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in

Education. Christell Aden was employed by the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools District as a childhood

development teacher, retiring with 40-plus years of service to the children and families of Greater

Cleveland.

Mama Aden loved working for the Lord and devoted her life to faithfully serving God, family and the

community. Mama Aden was loved and admired wherever she traveled and she always had a smile and

warm greeting to everyone she met. Mama Aden enjoyed gardening, and loved her family, and she loved

Gale Rose.

In 1973 Rev. Aden organized Our Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church, where Mama Aden would serve

as the “first lady of the church” for 41 years. Mama Aden remained actively engaged in the work of the

church, as she served on numerous church committees and supported spiritual causes during the course

of her lifetime, including singing in the choir, serving as a Deaconess, Missions, Sunday school teacher,

serving meals to the homeless, attending the State and National Baptist Conventions, the Congress of

Christian Education and serving in a variety of roles with the United of God’s People Baptist District

Association, notably serving as the director of the youth department for the district and director of the

“80 and Over” annual luncheon for the Ohio Baptist State Convention.

Mama Aden served as mentor and role model to many young women in her life, using God and the

Holy scriptures as her guide to encourage and inspire young women and young people to serve God, and

accept his Son Jesus Christ as Savior. Mama Aden’s favorite scripture was Psalm 136 v 1, “Oh give thanks

unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever” Mama Aden also inspired many saints

through song, as she sang lead on favorites ”Jesus is a Waymaker” “Blessed Assurance” and “Calvary”

during praise and worship services, and with the Ministers Wives of the Union Missionary Baptist District

Association for annual concerts.

Christell Williams Aden was called from labor to eternal rest and reward

on April 24th 2022, and leaves to mourn and cherish her memory her children Gale, Rev. John Jr.

(Carlita) Min. Glenn (Chantel) Rev Marc (Janet) Rev Quintin (Randi) and Chrystal (Lawrence

Woods-deceased) sister, Mattie Reid of Cleveland, OH, brothers Rev Dock Williams of Florence MS, Dea.

Wendell Williams of Cleveland, OH and Pastor Charles Williams of Compton, CA. 11 Grandchildren, 10

great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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