Shirley Williams

Shirley T. Williams COURTLAND - Mrs. Shirley Lee Turner Williams, daughter of the late John Roy and Freddie Darden Turner, departed this life into one of eternal rest Sept. 23, 2008, at home with family. She was born June 13, 1932, in Norfolk, to the late Alease Turner and the late Theodore Harris. She was a lifetime resident of Courtland. To cherish her memory she leaves her husband of 58 years, Samuel Williams; five daughters and two sons-in-law, Cheryl E. Roberts and Karen Lashley (Melvin) of Courtland, Dianne M.J. Williams of Hartford, Conn., Latorial Faison (Carl Jerome) of Fort Lee, Va., Essense A. Williams of the home; and two sons and one daughter-in-law, Ronald E. Williams Sr. (Mary) of Courtland and John I. Sykes of the home. In addition, she leaves four granddaughters, Jessica B. Roberts of Hartford, Shirley Melvon Lashley of Courtland, Lisa Pierce of Norfolk and Heather Cobb of Franklin, Va.; three grandsons, Ronald E. Williams Jr., Rondever G. Williams and Romaine Gallop of Franklin; six great-grandchildren, Carl, Kendall and Kaleb Faison of Fort Lee, Destiny Williams of Woodbridge, Va., and Moriah and Seneca Darden Jr. of Portsmouth. She was predeceased by a grandson, Seneca B. Darden. She is also survived by one aunt, Alease Pearson of Drewryville, Va.; three brothers and three sisters-in-law, William Clifton and Margaret Turner of Richmond, Va., Roy C. and Janice Turner of Newport News, David W. and Freida Turner of Windsor, Conn.; and seven sisters, Cathalee T. Johnson of Chesterfield, Va., Rebbie Warren (Samuel) of Portsmouth, Ida McKenny (Walter) of West Hartford, Conn., Bessie Murphy of Santa Barbara, Calif., Dorothy Williams (John) of Bridgeport, Conn., Jean Butler (Bernard) of Bloomfield, Conn., and Evonia Manson of New Britain, Conn. Also to celebrate her homegoing are five foster sons, Barrett Porter of Suffolk, James Porter of Victoria, Va., Brian Banks of Kinston, N.C., Martin Williams of Baltimore and Tavares Artis of Churchland; dear friends, Fred and Jean Barker, Holly Barker; and a host of other loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. As a child, Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and joined the Bryant Baptist Church in Capron, where she was a faithful member throughout her lifetime. A few years ago, she became affiliated with New St. Mount Holiness Church of Franklin, where she continued to worship faithfully and grow spiritually. Shirley is best described as a loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother, foster parent, sister, aunt, niece and friend, who touched so many lives. She was a hard worker, an excellent cook and a people-person who loved children. She was a foster parent for more than 45 years, raising and caring for 11 children in addition to her own. She was a retired employee of Southampton County public schools where she worked for 39 years as a cafeteria worker and bus driver. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Shiloh Baptist Church, 30188 Shiloh Road, Boykins, VA 23827. Bishop Charlie Collins will deliver the eulogy. The interment will follow in Bryant Baptist Church Cemetery in Capron. Public viewing was held in Engram Funeral Home, 1001 Armory Drive, Franklin, Friday, Sept. 26. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in memory of Shirley T. Williams to Howard University Cancer Center, c/o Rashida Johnson, Director of Development, 2041 Georgia Ave., Room 219, Washington, DC 20060.