Elsie Williams Obituary

Elsie Moore Williams NORFOLK - On Sunday, June 28, 2009, the Lord answered the effectual, feverent prayer of his daughter and allowed her "to sleep away in Thee" at Riverpointe Health & Rehabilitation Center in Virginia Beach. Elsie Moore Williams was born to the late Alexander and Addie Moore July 3, 1928, in Roper (Pea Ridge), N.C. She was the youngest of 15 children. She was educated in the North Carolina public school system, a graduate of Elizabeth City Teachers College (now Elizabeth City State University), and completed work towards her master's degree at The College of William & Mary. She was married for 50 years and preceded in death by Bishop I. Joseph Williams and from that union came three children. She served faithfully as first lady of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years and later became a member of Grove Baptist Church in Portsmouth. Mrs. I. Joseph Williams, as she preferred to be called, was a school teacher for many years in various school systems. She was a prayerful, humble and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who offered a kind word and prayer to everyone she met. Acting on their love for people and the community, she and Bishop I. Joseph Williams founded The Hour of Hope Evangelistic Ministries, where she became known throughout the community as "The Hour of Hope Lady." She loved her listeners and her supporters; they were a part of her extended family. As she has left this earth in body, her spirit and the example she set will never be forgotten. She leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Inez Norman; three children, Pamela Castellanos, Anthony Williams and Angelia Williams; a daughter- in-law, Tami Williams, granddaughter-in-law, Sherry Castellanos; grandchildren, Brian, Marcelle and Rudy Castellanos, Jessica and Tony Williams, Donte and Shawn Wright; a great-grandson, Darren Castellanos, a great-grand daughter on the way; former sons-in-law, Manuel Castellanos and Horace Brown Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Many have crossed her path and all who knew her found her to be a kind lady with a sweet spirit. Being absent from the body, she is now present with the Lord. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 525 Dinwiddie St. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Metropolitan Funeral Service, Berkley Ave. Chapel. Condolences may be offered at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jul. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Elsie Williams

4 Entries

Corliss Dreher

July 3, 2009

Williams Family & Our Family:

Mrs. I. Joseph Williams is gone but never will be forgotten. I must say that not only was she your mother but mine also. I came to Virginia at the age of 22, two years later when I had the twins and my husband and I parted. Bishop & Mrs. Williams said these are Antioch babies, we're your family. I'm Daddy, and this is Mamma. I smile when I use to hear Mrs. Williams so softly call him daddy.

We all grew up in Antioch and raised our children together. I'll always remember the days when Bishop called, but when Mrs. Williams called me, it was little mamma, Daddy wants to see you. "Oh Lord! what did I do now?" LOL! when I was at the house and saw my babies pictures on top of the TV with the rest of the family, I had no doubt that both of them loved us also.

I was named "The baby mamma" by Mrs. Williams thus loosing my name, and what do I have in my arms at the funeral, but a baby. Wow! I loved her dearly and will forever carry in my heart the love your parents gave/showed to the girls and I. I had a fitt when the first lady cover was removed from her seat and I am happy to have heard the current pastor say to return it. "I am Mrs. I Joseph Williams, giving honor to God, and my brother's & sister's in the Lord" she was, is, and will always be all, we knew to be "The First Lady" We all knew where to find her in the 3rd row,1st seat,for our "Hour Of Hope". Whenever you all return to the grave site and you see a single flower or two, it is me. I live in the area and all of these years when our Antioch family member passed, I still visit and check on the families resting place. The Woodlawn office staff members have tired to hire me on several occasions. LOL!

Please know if you ever need our family, we are only a phone call away. Anthony & Tammy have found and joined with me again as family where The Valley Always Leads at "The Mount" with our Pastor Kim W. Brown. "BB" is what I call him. "Bishop Brown" OK, it's out there. Here I grow again "Oh Lord! what did I do now?" LOL!

I Love You All!
Baby Mamma, Grave Keeper, Chief, Cook & Bottle Washer!

Medina Dreher

July 3, 2009

Hello,

Just left the service and was remembering Mrs. Williams. We remember her beautiful smile, her presence and her praise. When she praised God she would completely get in his presence and you could see it all over her face. She was truly a lady!

Medina and Myeshia Dreher(Twins)

July 1, 2009

On behalf of Horace Brown, Jr., and family are hearts are sadden at the lost of Mother Willians. May God's comforting, and healing power be upon you and your entire family.

With Warmest Regards
The Cuffee and Brown Family

MICHAEL BROWN

July 1, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

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