Stella L. Williams was born on September 6, 1948 in Durham, North Carolina and entered into eternal rest on January 29, 2024. She was daughter of the late Deacon Palmer Cohen and Mary Alice Cohen and was the first of ten children. She was raised by her grandparents, the late Reverend Tillman Bagley and Louise Bagley.

At an early age, Stella joined and was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church in North Carolina. She graduated from Merrick-Moore High School in Durham, NC in 1964. During her high school years, she performed in a singing group with Shirley Caesar and family. After high school, she moved to New Jersey and here she met and married the late Loice Williams Jr. in 1967. They moved to Cincinnati, OH where she gave birth to her only child, Tiarra.

Stella moved to Boston to be closer to her family. During that time she attended Boston State College, and then went on to graduate from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She was the first college graduate in the family. She retired from Boston Public Schools in Law Enforcement in 2014. For 33 years, she mentored, and became the source of guidance for many young lives. No matter where she went, she was always approached by those who she touched over the years.

While her daughter was in college, she met a special friend, Joe Lawson. For 35 years, they shared their lives, enjoying moments with friends and gathering with family. Their chopped barbecue was always a hit among everyone. In her spare time, Stella immersed herself in reading, listening to music - particularly Maxwell - and indulging in Westerns. A fondness for shoes and purses complemented her interests. She was astute in matters of public affairs, global events, and pop culture, but above all, she valued her love of God.

Stella adored her family. She was an amazing mother to her daughter TeeCee (Tiarra) who was absolutely her everything. They were best friends and each other's confidants, caring for one another through all of life's journey. She was proud when her daughter married her beloved son-in- law, Chris, who she cherished as the son she never had. She treasured her grandsons which she nicknamed Boo Boo One and Boo Boo Two. Ganny enjoyed spending quality time with them whether it was exploring, driving them around, or spoiling them with gifts and laughter. You couldn't talk to her without her mentioning how proud she was of them. She looked forward to spending every birthday and holiday with her family. Stella was the matriarch of the family and always said, "I'm the boss of all of you." Her generous spirit embodied love in its truest form. She was known for sharing her wisdom with kind words of encouragement and sharing her love through her sense of humor. She cultivated meaningful connections with each of her nieces and nephews, giving them all unique nicknames. Stella had a deep affection for her siblings, regularly reaching out to each of them. The Bagley Family Reunions and Cohen Family BBQs brought her joy, savoring moments of laughter and cherished time with loved ones. Her heart of gold was always on display for anyone who needed it. If you knew her, she was probably one of your close friends, if not your best friend.

Stella was a loving and caring mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She leaves to cherish her memories; her daughter Tiarra Bentley, son-in-law Christopher Bentley. Her two grandsons; Christopher Bryce Bentley and Chandler Bentley. Her nine (9) sisters and brothers: Palmer Leon Cohen (deceased), Larry Cohen (deceased), Kenneth Cohen, Anthony Cohen (Beverly), Gerald Cohen, Betty Cohen, Gail Kelsey (Charles), Gina Cohen, and Wendy Cohen all of Boston, MA. Her aunts Margaret Allen of Boston, MA and Amelia Brown of Durham, NC. Her special friend; Joe Lawson. A host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.