Eva Williams Hains, more accurately Eva Kay Williams Haines, was a member of the Williams family, known for their connection to the cosmetics company Maybelline, founded by her brother Tom Lyle Williams in 1915. Her life is intertwined with the family's legacy, particularly through her marriage and family celebrations.
Eva Kay Williams married Chester Haines in 1924, a union marked by their 50th wedding anniversary celebration in October 1974, as documented in family records. This event was significant, highlighting their long-lasting partnership. Chester Haines is noted for his role in Maybelline's transportation department, reflecting the family's deep involvement in the company's operations.
An unexpected detail is the involvement of Chester Haines in the company's transportation, showcasing how family members contributed to Maybelline's growth beyond its founding, adding depth to the family's role in the cosmetics industry.
Eva Kay Williams Haines is the sister of Tom Lyle Williams, born in 1896, who founded Maybelline in 1915, inspired by their sister Mabel's use of a mixture of Vaseline and coal dust for eyelashes. The Williams family, based in Chicago, included their parents Thomas Jefferson Williams and Susan Anna Williams, and siblings William Preston Williams, Eva Kay Williams, Tom Lyle Williams, Mabel Anna Williams, and Noel James Williams.
Eva's life is less documented compared to Tom Lyle, but her connection to the family underscores her role in the Maybelline dynasty.
Marriage to Chester Haines
Research suggests Eva Kay Williams married Chester Haines in 1924, with their 50th wedding anniversary celebrated in October 1974. This event was a landmark for Tom Lyle's "baby sister," indicating her significance within the family.
Chester Haines is noted for his passion for automobiles, which likely influenced his role in Maybelline's transportation department, where Tom Lyle, also a car enthusiast, put Ches in charge of transportation post-marriage.
Eva's life was centered around family events and her husband's role in Maybelline. However, her marriage to Chester Haines, highlights the family's interconnected roles in the business.
A recording made in 1947, "Your Beautiful Eye's," involving Chester, Tom Lyle, and Harold W. Ragland, Maybelline's marketing executive, suggesting Eva's presence in family and company social circles, though not in a professional capacity.
Eva's sister Mabel Anna Williams, who inspired the Maybelline name, died in 1975, six months after Eva and Chester's 50th anniversary.
The family's legacy, highlights Eva's role in the dynasty, with her life intertwined with Maybelline's history and her husband's contributions.
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