Eva Kay Williams Haines is the sister of Tom Lyle Williams, born in 1896, who founded Maybelline in 1915

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.

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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.

Key Citations

• The Fascinating Origin of Maybelline: From Kitchen Accident to Global Beauty Icon
• The Maybelline Story Blog: Maybelline sisters, Mabel and Eva Williams, 50th Wedding Anniversaries
• The Maybelline Story Blog: Williams' Family History
• THE MAYBELLINE STORY : Maybelline Family History, Tom Lyle's Charismatic Brother In Law, Chester Haines had a Passion for Automobiles
• THE MAYBELLINE STORY is Out of Print. Used copies on Amazon : Sharrie Williams, Original Maybelline Family Descendant, wanted to be a Maybelline

Bill Williams memory lives on through his Clenet Automobile.

 Alain Clenet, refers to his American, coach-made, Clenet, as Driving Art. 

Alain Clenet was recognized for his contribution to Santa Barbara history, at the Concours d'Elegance.

Tom Pierpoint, President of The Clenet Cluster, with Alain Clenet.

These wonderful, limited edition automobiles were built in the late 70's and early 80's by Clenet Coachworks of Santa Barbara, CA. There has been a recent strong interest in these vehicles most probably due to the fact that they are becoming "classic neo-classics" as they all approach 30 years of age. We are probably a bit biased, but we think they are the most elegant automobiles ever produced.

The William P. Williams family, showed Bill's Classic Clenet, Series 1, number 13 at the Santa Barbara Concours, Oct 30th, as well as The La Quinta Concours d'Elegance, this year, where it won 2 place in the Neo-Classic, category.

Bill Williams Clenet, showed with 20 other Classic Clenet, owners, at Alain Clenet's, Coachworks, 35 Anniversary.

Steve Kourocas, (Clenet Coachworks original fabricator,) Alain Clenet, (designer and owner of Clenet Coachworks,) with Bill Williams daughter, Donna Williams.

Alain Clenet, sharing some memories of Bill Williams,  with his daughter, Donna Williams.

Steve Kourocas with Donna Williams.  Kourocas has many good stories about her father, Bill Williams during the fabricating, of number 13. 

Donna Williams with her cousin Ann Louise Williams-Corbett, enjoying the Concours.


Clénet is an automobile series with old retro styling, mixed with modern technology.  Each limited-production model was conceived, designed, and produced by a small team of men and women in Santa Barbara County, California in the 1970s and 1980s. The automobile's distinctive styling was based on the high-end automobiles of the 1930s. Despite their retro looks, Clénets used modern drive trains and suspension systems.   

My father, Bill Williams, the ultimate Gatsby...