Rev. Louis Edward Williams Jr.

Louis' Story
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven:
A time to be born (Ecclesiastes 3: 2)
The story of Pastor Louis Edward Williams, Jr. began on January 16, 1942, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Although he was the second child born to Lewis Williams and Olivia Davis Williams, he would forever be the big brother for all his siblings.
A time to die (Ecclesiastes 3: 2)
The end of Louis' pilgrimage here on earth came on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 9:15 P.M. Surrounded by family in his home and under the care of Arkansas Hospice, he peacefully transitioned from time into eternity.
Train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs22:6)
Louis accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of Reverend J. D. Walker at Hopewell Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His love for the Lord and love for the Word would lead him into a lifetime of ministry and service.
In 1966, he joined the Saint Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where he would serve as deacon, choir director, and Mr. Fix It. He even purchased a van so that he could transport young people to church. While at Saint Bethel, under the leadership of Reverend John Watson, Sr., Louis was licensed to preach in 1976 and ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1981.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 23:11)
Louis had a servant's heart for serving the body of Christ. Wherever he saw need he stood ready to respond whether it was for the individual or for the body collectively. He was the current First Vice Moderator of the Saint Marion Consolidated Baptist District Association. He had served as interim minister at several churches in Pine Bluff. He served at St. Paul Baptist Church, Barraque Street Baptist Church, eight years at Faith Presbyterian Church, and one year at Saint Bethel, where he was elected pastor in 1999. On April 11th of that year, Louis was installed as Pastor of Saint Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He would serve this congregation dutifully for the remainder of his life.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23)
Louis worked diligently wherever his path led him for he had a heart for people. He volunteered as chaplain at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) before being hired as Staff Chaplain, a position he held for (12) years. In his lifetime, Louis mentored youth, counseled men and women, and cared for the elderly and disabled until he became ill.
Louis worked his way through college at AM&N/UAPB. After graduation he was employed by the Pine Bluff School District in 1965 to teach Industrial Technology at Merrill High School. At the beginning of desegregation of Arkansas schools, Louis was transferred to Pine Bluff High School. There he served as head of the department of Industrial Technology. He retired from the PBSD in 1996 with thirty-two years of service as a public school educator.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
Louis was a lifelong learner. He was a product of Greenville Elementary School, Merrill Junior and Merrill High School in Pine Bluff. He graduated from AM&N College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He received a master's degree in education from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville in 1974. In 1983, Louis graduated from Arkansas Baptist College with a degree in Christian Theology. Most recently, he earned a Bachelor of Theology from Saint Thomas Christian University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2021.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation (Psalm 91:16)
Louis was blessed to see and enjoy 82 years of life. Walking beside him for 59 years, was his bride Ezerene LaGardye Williams. Louis invited her to share his life when, as college students, he gave her his picture with the words of Robert Browning written on the back. "Grow old with me! The best is yet to be " was a promise he made to her and a promise he kept. Their union was blessed with one son, Johnathan.
Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the street Ecclesiastes 12: 5)
Louis will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have known him. The sweetest memories will be cherished by his wife Ezerene LeGardye Williams. His legacy will live on through his son, Johnathan O'Neal Williams, of Euless, TX; three grand-girls: self-appointed favorite Seargent Shanee' Jackson (Rufus, III) of Pine Bluff AR, Kaela Renee' Williams, of Euless, TX; and Christine Williams, of Los Angeles, CA; Grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will live forever in the hearts of his remaining siblings brothers Dwayne Williams, of Saint Louis, LaMont Williams of Alabama; and a sister, Myrtle Withers of Dallas, TX; a plethora of nephews, nieces, cousins students and friends.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)
Gone from our presence, but forever in our hearts.
Visitation 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Brown Funeral Home Pine Bluff, AR. Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, at St. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pine Bluff, AR by Pastor Stoney E. Shaw. Interment in Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery Pine Bluff, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. His body will lie in-state from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
Obituary submitted by The Family