Betty Jean Williams

It’s been said that country life is where we’d see the works of God. On Nov. 16, 1944, the world did indeed see God’s marvelous work—a baby girl—Betty Jean Williams, born in the small country town of Camilla, Georgia to the late Willie James and Rebecca Williams. Who knew that this great work would become a masterpiece colored in love, wrapped in undeniable style, and God’s grace? God did. Betty was the oldest of 7 children, setting her in her ways of being a leader, protector, and THEE queen. In her adolescence, Betty, and her siblings worked with their grandparents who were sharecroppers. Arduous as it was, this work was a formative experience shaping her character and teaching her valuable lessons. By the time this queen-in-the-making turned 14, she left her grandparents’ country home and moved to live with her father in Bartow, Florida. It was here that she’d fully pursue her education. While in Bartow, Betty Jean, as she was affectionately called, took her role as a big sister seriously, yielding her scepter with a balance of love and authority as she was often left to care for her siblings while their father worked. Since some of her siblings would start fights and run to Betty to finish them, keeping order was not always an easy task, however, Betty Jean was tough, didn’t “take no mess”, and was no one’s push- over. She instilled in her siblings discipline and self-control. Being the oldest surely came with its share of challenges, but it also planted in Betty the value of family and love. She shared an unbreakable bond with her sisters and her uncle Charlie who was more like a brother. It could be argued that they were the original Charlie’s Angels. Betty would often say, “when you don't have much, you look at faces that look like love and realize you have everything.” Who knew that this young, fierce, girl would grow to become not just an adored big sister, but a revered Sister across nations? God did. Being the true girly girl that she was, Betty found work in a local salon learning and adopting styles that accentuated brown beauty while simultaneously attending classes at the local high school. She believed in the importance of education, as her father insisted. Part of her education also came from the informal training she acquired while watching her grandmother sew top-notch outfits from patterned flour-sack material. She would soon become one fabulous “material-purchasing, pattern-developing, outfit-sewing” beauty queen and a graduate of Union Academy High School. Only days after graduating, Betty Jean boldly traversed the state on a Greyhound Bus on a one-way ticket to Miami. Who knew that this journey would become one of many? God did. In 1963, Betty found her new home in the fast city of Miami, Florida where she set her sights on becoming a fashion designer and beautician. As God would have it, she made her way through beauty school, but she found the greatest beauty in her four children. She provided for them, initially as a daycare teacher while continuing class. She earned her A.A. degree and eventually put her higher earning to task becoming a senior pool substitute teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Still honing her natural proclivity for all things beautiful, she would sew her and her children’s one-of-a-kind fashions that drew attention on their walks down the streets in tough neighborhoods, like the infamous Miami Pork-n-Bean projects. No amount of impending violence or race riots could stand in the way of a strong, beautiful and Godly woman, like Betty Jean. Not long after arriving in Miami and becoming a mother, Betty found her greatest love—God! Sister Yvonne Wiggins and the late Sister Roby helped to cultivate Betty’s spiritual growth and would become two of her closest friends. A woman of God was born in Walker’s Memorial Church of God in Christ where she served for over 20 years. Betty demonstrated a spirit of humility and obedience to her Pastor, the late Elder Elijah Edwards, and faithfully attended various functions and activities on the local, district and jurisdictional levels. During her ministry there, she also traveled to Haiti on missionary causes to provide the underserved and the abused with refuge, necessities and the gospel. That trip transformed her and gave her the thirst to be closer to and more aligned with the Living Word. Betty strongly desired to bring her all to God. She would spend hours in fervent prayer on the phone, on her knees and at the pews interceding for strangers and those she loved alike. In her custom-designed suits, she would bring her grandchildren to church in the latest JCPenney’s fashions. After laying a strong foundation in Miami, she traveled with her veteran daughter to Killeen, Texas where members from all around Texas communities came seeking Betty’s wisdom and faith; they even entrusted the care of their children to her. Betty eventually moved to Germany and became a member of Holy Ghost Headquarters Church of God in Christ where she was ordained the Jurisdictional Mother of the Church. Through her wisdom, spiritual guidance and readiness with the Word, she brought hundreds of people to salvation. Her impact on the churches in Germany would garner her many awards and honors. Her daughter’s next military assignment led them to Hawaii. This new location, too, would be taken by Betty’s charisma and passionate desire for Christ. She was appointed in the revered role as Mother, yet again. Years later, Betty took up residence in Charlotte, NC. A close second to the love Betty had for the Lord was the love she felt spending time with her very best friends—her sisters and brother. She loved to shop, sit and talk and laugh with her family without pause for time. Who knew that a beautiful, little country girly-girl would grow to become a big sister, a Christian sister, a fashionista, a best friend, a mother of four, a Church Mother to hundreds, a grand and great grandmother, a godmother, a world-wide Spiritual Advisor, a Prayer Warrior and a timeless beauty? God did. To whom much is given, much is required. Betty Jean Williams spoke her last “I love you”, hummed her last tune and traded all her earthly treasures for an exclusively coveted desire—the most beautifully ornate, perfectly customized gown not ever imagined—that of God’s Perfect Heaven. Who knew that on October 20, 2024 she would be called to her eternal home? God did. At the age of 79, Betty Jean transitioned peacefully, holding the hand of her sister, listening to the sounds of praying lips, and sweet hymns and surrounded by the love of family. She was preceded in death by parents, Willie James and Rebecca Williams; sisters, Yvette Morrell, Sandra “Sandy” Johnson; brother Charlie Morrell Jr.; granddaughter, Trachelle Carr. To those who are left to inherit the treasure of sweet memories, let it be well with your spirit: children, Nadine Brown-Holt (Michael), Ltonya Carr, Raymond Carr, Shawanda Bryant; grandchildren, Aisha Brown, Tysheka Pink, Darren Brown, Niera Strong, Ashante’ Bryant, Tichina Carr; like a grandson, Derricke Morris; siblings, brother (Uncle) Charlie Willams of Union South Carolina, Marjorie “Margie Ree” Roundtree (Frank) Lakeland, FL, Bobbie McKennon (Robert) Winterhaven, FL, Joey Williams Pompano Beach, FL, step-brother James Surray (Carolyn) of Bartow, FL. great grandchildren: Davondre Daniels, Tyree Dixon, Zachary Dixon Jr., Darren Brown Jr., Darrius Brown, Dearra Brown, Deasia Brown, Neveah Pink, Ayden Clark; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Betty Jean Williams

November 16, 1944 - October 20, 2024