Victoria Williams

Victoria Pauline Berger Williams, 95, of Charleston, AR went to her Heavenly home December 8, 2016. She was born December 27,1921 in Greenwood, AR to the late Charlie Berger and Mary M. McBride. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Charleston, AR. She loved cooking for family and friends, Sunday meals after church, gardening, farming and working with her cattle. She never left her home without saying "Lord, you are the Master, let's go." Victoria Williams is the last of the adult African Americans who in 1954, allowed their children to be a part of the historical Charleston desegregation after the Supreme Court Decision – Brown vs Board of Education, which resulted in Charleston being designated as the national historical site for desegregation in the South. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband R.B. Williams; a son Robert Bee Williams; four sisters; Pearl Wilson, Jennie Rowley, Marian Ferguson and Beulah Harper; four brothers James Berger, Theophilus Berger, Jesse Berger and Clarence Berger. Left to cherish her memory are her children; Barbara Dotson of Fort Smith, AR; Ruby Thompson of St. Louis, MO; Etholia McCurry and husband Michael of Fort Smith, AR; Sylvia Bell of Fort Smith, AR; Fanny Wesley and husband Robert of Fort Smith, AR; Richey Williams and wife Margaret of Charleston, AR; Mildred and husband Harold Brown of Muskogee, OK; Mary Williams of Charleston, AR and Vircy Williams of Fort Smith, AR. Two sisters Rebecca Christian and Marie Wilson; thirty-seven Grandchildren and fifty-nine Great Grandchildren; thirteen Great Great Grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Memorial service will be 2PM Monday December 12, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Charleston, AR. under the direction of Smith Mortuary. Donations may be made in Victoria's memory to Disabled American Veterans or Wounded Warriors Project. The Family would like to say special thank you to Jeannie Neely, Ben Lewis, Ann Haney Rogers, Margaret Williams, and Denise Walker. Thanks to everyone for your gifts and expressions of love. In love, honor and respect; we have followed our mother's last wishes. The family will receive friends 3PM til 5PM Sunday December 11, 2016 at the funeral home.