Charlene Roberta Williams

Charlene Roberta Williams, a devoted follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, died January 5, 2026 in Winter Springs, FL at age 83 due to complications from mixed dementia and respiratory illness. Charlene was born on June 13,1942 in Neptune City, New Jersey to the late Marion Roberta and Charles Henry Voorhees. Charlene's family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida when she was a toddler. She remained a Floridian for life. She married a 5th generation Floridian, James A. "Jimmy" Williams, and they raised two daughters in West Palm Beach.

Charlene leaves behind: blessed daughters Jamie Lynn Sommer, Shannon Williams Skinn, and admired son-in-law Darryl Skinn; adored grandchildren Samantha (Thomas) Johnson, and Zachary Potter; beloved great-granddaughter Isabelle Johnson; precious god-grandchildren Atticus Caudle, Emeline Caudle, and Samuel Caudle; daughters-by-choice Tammy (Peter) Sakalaukus and Leslie Sherrick; treasured nieces Gina Grant, Cindy Hinebaugh, Kristi Ashley, Dolly (Lee) Davis, Lisa Brown; fond nephews Mark (late Denise) Strong, Roger (Debbie) Freshour, Brian Freshour; brother-in-law Ian Brown, sister-in-law Karen Voorhees, many great nieces, great nephews, cousins, Skinn in-laws, former Potter-in-laws, life-long friends, and siblings-in-Christ.

She was preceded in death by her three siblings, Jean Ann Freshour, Charles William "Billy" Voorhees, Natalie Elizabeth Brown; brother-in-law Walter Freshour; the father of her daughters, James A. Williams, his siblings Angelyn Strong, Carol Owen and Jean Register, and their parents Luther Arthur Williams and Irene Hollingsworth Williams; nieces Leslie Owen and Kerri Register, and nephew Clay Strong.

Anyone who knew Charlene knew she loved children. When her daughters were in elementary school, Charlene's love of children compelled her to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. It did not take long for those in charge of the program to observe that Charlene was not exactly fond of the discipline aspect of teaching. They kindly suggested she take a look at the nursing program. She began that program and loved it. While raising children, she passed her State Boards with honors and earned an RN from Palm Beach Junior College in 1973. She served the State of Florida as a Public Health Nurse across three decades. When working in the field of Epidemiology, she was a pioneer in identifying and containing the AIDS epidemic in Belle Glade. She earned a BSN from Florida Atlantic University in 1986, and matriculated towards a Master's degree in Public Health at University of Miami.

Charlene moved to Winter Springs, Florida in 1998, and continued working in Public Health in Seminole and Orange counties. Soon after she moved, she became a treasured member of New Covenant Church. Ever grateful for Christ's redemption, Charlene served as a member of the prayer ministry team, kitchen service team, care coordination teams, home groups and countless Bible studies. Selflessness, generosity, love and kindness were her hallmark traits. When her daughter, Jamie, once asked Charlene to name her superpower, she responded: LISTENING. A rare gem. Those fortunate enough to know her would attest to that truth.

Charlene's eternal legacy is reflected in the first statement of her Last Will and Testament:

"I commit myself to God's care and pray that in the hour of my death my faith in him may be rich that through His love I may enjoy the heavenly mansions prepared for me through Christ's suffering and death on my behalf, and I leave those who survive me the comfort of knowing that I have died in this faith. I commend those whom I love to the protecting arm of God, knowing full well that He, in my absence from them, can care for them much more adequately than I could were I present and He absent; and I encourage them to place their confidence in Him richly."

Services are scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026

Visitation/Gathering: 11:30am, New Covenant Church 800 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs, FL 32708

Memorial Service: 12:30pm, New Covenant Church 800 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs, FL 32708

Burial: 2PM, 1901 Queen of Angels Drive, Winter Park FL 32792

Reception: 3PM, New Covenant Church 800 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs, FL 32708