Hiawatha Lovell Cromer was born in Mt. Meigs, Alabama September 12, 1932, to the late Lovely Williams Sr. and Lena Williams.

She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama from the age of 4, attending public schools and Miles College. She graduated Cum Laude from Miles College in 1952 with a BA degree in Sociology.

She was married in 1954 to the late James W. Cromer. From this union her daughter, the late Annetta L. Cromer was born, with whom she will be laid to rest.

Hiawatha received a master's in Social Work from Wayne State University in 1972 and was a Caseworker for the State of Michigan. After retiring from the state, she devoted her life to health and wellness and served as director, instructor and kitchen manager at the Creative Health Institute in Union City, MI from 1993 to 2001.

Hiawatha was a woman of faith. During her formative years, she attended First Baptist Church West End in Birmingham Alabama, where her father was a deacon. She greatly admired her father's speaking skills and would often say "I got my speaking skills from my father." She continued her faith as a member of the Assembly of Yahweh in Eaton Rapids, MI, joining in 1999 and established the Wellness Center, a Raw Foods Teaching and Residence Health Center in 2001.

Her commitment to health and wellness led her to become a certified health minister and laugh coach.  She was also a published author of two books, Recipes and Instructions for the Living Foods Lifestyle and Eating Raw, Living Well .

Her community service and leadership roles are too numerous to list!  She would often say "giving came from mother and father; I was taught never to expect to receive when you give."  Two things Hiawatha would always say, "I am my brother's keeper" and "give to the world the best that you have, and the best will come back to you."

Hiawatha was blessed with two siblings, the late Louvannie Williams and the late Lovely Williams, Jr. and two late nieces, Evelyn Farmer (Adolph) and Annie P. Hargrove (Clayton). Hiawatha leaves to cherish her memories: her niece, Thelma A. Murray and her children, great niece and nephew, LaQuanda M. Murray and Earnest G. Murray of New Jersey; her nephew, Charles Williams, Jr. and his children, Brian and Steven Williams of New Jersey; great niece, Juanakee Butler and family of Georgia; great nephews, Wendell and Roderick Hargrove and their families of Georgia; sister-in-law, Albertha Williams of New Jersey; and a host of other family and friends.

Hiawatha passed away on December 19, 2022. She will surely be missed by all who have been blessed to know and love her.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or organization in Hiawatha's name.

Arrangements for Ms. Cromer are as follows:

Livestreaming for Ms. Cromer's service may be viewed using the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/hiawatha-cromer