Instead of black suits and dresses, they wore bright jerseys and hats. Instead of solemn, welcoming glances, they greeted each other in the lobby and in the aisles with hugs and conversation. Instead of a silent recessional, they sang along to a rendition of “Hail to the Redskins” and chased the anthem’s spirit into the parking lot.
This is how Zema Williams, popularly known as “Chief Zee,” who passed away last week at 75, would have likely wanted his funeral service to be – filled with celebration, not mourning; filled with reflection, not regret; filled with color (specifically, burgundy and gold), not darkness.