Rueben Denard Williams

Rueben Denard Williams, 27, of Roanoke, Va., was swept up suddenly by angels following a traffic accident on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. He is survived by his loving family: mother, Sheila Wright (Russell); twin sister, Shelitta Williams; siblings, Eddie Henry Williams Jr., Marcus D. Lowe (Karen), Shawanna Tucker (Raymond), and Sheila Jayne Barrett (Clarence Jr.); maternal grandmother, Marian G. Hunt; paternal grandmothers, Hattie Mae Hart and Mary Ann Wright; great-aunt, Catherine Ryans, of New York City; and 17 aunts and uncles. Rueben adored his nieces and nephews, Alexis Tucker, Allysa Tucker, Alajah Tucker, Marqua Nesia, Mason and Kieh Lowe, Eddie Demontray Williams, Aumontray Franklin, Angel Williams, Deariez Eddie Williams, Charisma Barrett, Clarence M. Barrett III, China M. Barrett and Cherise Marian Barrett, Tyisha Barrett and Tyler Barrett, and Lakeevia Zimariah Williams and Tazion Williams.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eddie Williams Sr., of Georgia; grandfather, James Belcher Sr.; uncle, Claude Williams III; and aunt, Sylacia Maria Harris. Special childhood friends Damon, Nick, Adam and Voo remain.
Rueben was a very talented visual and performing artist who appreciated those who nurtured his talent. In turn, he taught other people how to draw and followed their progress with unselfish and obvious pride. Special thanks go to Rueben's art teachers and fans of his work, online and in his life. The worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, anime, films, the comic universes, costume designs, characters and stories that were always running inside his head were sometimes at odds with what was going on in the the world around him. Still, he continually tried to better his life and his art. He was a dreamer who loved and was loved, and will be missed.
Memorial Services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Parkway Wesleyan Church, 3645 Orange Avenue, NE in Roanoke. A Fellowship Dinner will be held immediately following the service. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home, 540-345-9100. www.serenityfuneralhome.net. Donations may be sent to the Parkway Wesleyan Church, Rueben Williams Fund, 3645 Orange Avenue, NE, Roanoke, Va. 24012.



This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.