Barbara Ann Bailey Williams

Barbara Ann Bailey-Williams was born on Sunday, July 5, 1936, in Nashville Tennessee to the late Mr. Robert Tillman Bailey and
Mrs. Annie Green Bailey. She quietly entered eternal rest at 0002 on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. As a “Sunday Child”, full of the Grace of God, Barbara accepted Christ at an early age, joining Mt. Zion Baptist Church where her great-grandfather,
Robert T. Bailey was a founding member. While there, she served in several capacities including choir member and usher.

Barbara was a graduate of Pearl High School, class of 1954, where she was a member of the National
Honor Society. She later went on to attend Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College, now
known as Tennessee State University, majoring in Home Economics. There she improved her
seamstress, home management, and decorating skills. She had a natural eye for all things aesthetics and
the presentation of art including beauty, form, representation, reproduction of reality, and artistic expression and
innovation. She began her professional career at Hubert hospital and Meharry Medical College, where she worked
as a laboratory technician and research assistant.

In 1959 Barbara married the Reverend Charles R. Williams, Jr. and moved her membership from Mt.
Zion to Roger Heights Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Charles H. Fitzgerald. She
assumed the role of First Lady of Roger Heights Baptist Church in 1964 when her husband was called to
the pastorate. Though quiet and unassuming, her presence was always known during her 58 years of
service in said role. Her church involvement at Roger Heights Baptist Church included serving as
Secretary of the Missionary Society, member of the Emily Nance Circle, member of the Beautification
Committee, former Sunday School Teacher, and Homecoming Season Captain. She gave of herself in
many other capacities at the church including serving as wardrobe and costume designer for the Drama
Committee.

Her civic involvement included a lifetime membership in the N.A.A.C.P., and was affiliated with the
Tennessee Mental Health Association, The Home Provider Association of Tennessee, and "Friends
Forever Club ". She was also Co-Founder and Operating Manager of Charity Mission for Christ where
she diligently worked running the operations of the organization which focused on providing mental
health services and low-income housing for residents of the community.

Barbara cherished her family, her church family, and her community. She was the epitome of
motherhood and exemplified the role of First Lady of Roger Heights. Within her home she provided an
abundance of love, fun, discipline, tenderness, strength, encouragement, understanding, inspiration, and
support. Through example, she instilled in each of her six children a spirit of dedication and tenacity.
Her extraordinary loving devotion to her family, her church, and her community was an unrelenting
force of unity and success. She was truly, a virtuous woman.

Barbara was preceded in death by devoted stepmother, Zilphia J. Bailey brother, William R. Bailey, son,
Kevin M. Williams, her beloved cousin, Ransom Ritter, and a great-grandson, Stephen T. Crutcher, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her love and fond memories: her husband of sixty-four years, Charles R. Williams,
Jr.; five devoted children, Charphia Houston, Philip (Janisca) Williams, Deirdre (David) Jones, Pamela
(Francis) Burgess, and Charles R. (Richard) Williams, III; twenty-one grandchildren: Isaiah Aric,
Cheslie Burgess, Lauren Burgess, Leah Burgess, Corey Houston, Tyler Houston, Adriene Jones,
Danielle Jones. David Jones, Jr., Duran Jones, Sherea (Michael) Kelsey, Brittiney (Greg) Payne,
Cheralle Williams, Crystal Williams, Gabriella Williams, Isabella Williams, Philip Williams, Jr.,
Anthony Williams, Charles (Tina) Williams IV, Kennedy Williams, Montgomery Williams; twenty-one
great-grandchildren; forever daughters-in-law Kimberly Williams, Linda Williams, and Tracy Williams;
sisters-in-law: Jestine Moore, Terry Washinton, and Betty Carter; a host of other relatives and friends,
including Rev. Calvin and Mrs. Ruthie Barlow, Mrs. Jacqueline (Jackie) Gilchrist; and the Roger
Heights Baptist Church family.