Belle G. Williams

Mrs. Belle Greene Williams (known to many as Aunt Belle) departed this life Jan. 25, 2012, at VCU Medical Center, Richmond, Va. She was born June 11, 1914, in Dinwiddie County to the late Waverly and Laura Crump Greene.

Belle was also predeceased by her husband, James H. Williams; and siblings, Mary,

Everett, Newton, Willie B, Arthur, Maclin and Wert.

Belle began her employment as a domestic worker, later she was employed in food service at Allied Chemical and she also worked at Seward Luggage, Whippernock Farm (Titmus family) and Titmus Optical.

In addition to her love for people, she loved cooking, gardening, traveling, sports and fishing. She previously farmed, and in more recent years grew and picked her vegetables and delivered them to family members and friends.

She joined Olive Branch Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, at an early age, and under the pastorate of the late Rev. T. A. Lacy, Belle was active in building fund projects and one of the founding members of the kitchen committee. She remained a faithful and active member of Olive Branch and its Missionary Circle until her health declined.

She is survived by a loving son, James Williams; a caring and devoted daughter–in-law, Lydia B. Williams, Hampton, Va., foster son, Bill Greene, Napa, Calif., foster daughter, Eleanor (Boo) Eades, Chester, Va.; In addition, she helped to raise Staff Sgt. Brian Greene (Charlene) of Carlisle, Pa., and Wayne Greene, Staunton, Va.; sisters, Maude Mason and Laura Dickerson; sister-in-law, Nancy Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, foster grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, cousins and other relatives, among them who showed special devotion were: Laura Judd, Barbara and Edward Pegram, Carlton Williams, T.J. Tucker and George Greene.

For many years she maintained a close friendship with members of the Hayes, Fields and Titmus (Edward) families, Virginia Clarke, Thelma McKensie, Louise Hill, Georgie Temple, Ernestine Jefferson, and the Marmora Baptist Church family.

Belle was a lover of people, young and old. Perhaps her life could be summed up to a great extent by the closing stanza of the poem, "The House by the Side of the Road" by Sam Walter Foss ... Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

Special thanks to caregivers, staff of Personal Touch Home Health Care, especially Veronica Pettiway, Marie Clanton, Darlene Jackson and Crystal Perkins; pharmacist, Heath Marshall; Dr. Kirby Southhall, doctors and staff of VCU Medical Center, Richmond, Va., and the Dinwiddie County Rescue Squad.

A homegoing service will be held on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Olive Branch Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, with the pastor, Rev. Kevin M. Northam, eulogizing, and the Rev. Victor V. McLaughlin, officiating, pastor of the Mamora Baptist Church, Church Road. The family will receive friends Sunday evening at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. They will also assemble on the day of the service at noon at the residence for the procession.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home, 530 South Sycamore St., Petersburg, 804-863-4411.