Barbara Ellena Williams May 13, 1943 ~ March 27, 2020

ServiceSaturday, October 24, 2020

reverend TiM english, Officiant Bronx Christian Fellowship Church

raleigh spruill, Organist

BENTA’S FUNERAL HOME630 St. Nicholas Avenue (141st Street) • New York, NY 10030

Paying Respect with Love Ones: 10:30am-12:00pm

Memorial Service will begin at 12:00pm

The Celebration of Life!

OfficiaTing - Reverend Tim English

Musical selecTiOn - “Emmanuel”Stacie Hawkins, Pastor Mara Ivory & Shatanya Purnell

scripTures

Old Testament - Psalm 23 - Ernestine Williams New Testament - John - 14:1-6 - Danielle King

prayer Of cOMfOrT - Ernest L. Williams Sr.

reflecTiOns - Debra Williams King

pOeM - Mia King

special reMarks - Family & Friends

acknOwledgeMenT Of cards and cOndOlences - Mia King

reading Of ObiTuary & reflecTiOns - Sandra Williams

Musical selecTiOn - “Like The Dew”Stacie Hawkins, Pastor Mara Ivory & Shatanya Purnell

eulOgy - Reverend Tim English

benedicTiOn - Reverend Tim English

Order of Service

“Moments of Barbara”

“Moments of Barbara”

barbara ellena lilly williaMs was born to her late father Forrest Lilly and her late mother Ruby James Knight Lilly on May 13, 1943 at Harlem Hospital in New York City.

From this union two daughters were born. The eldest Marsha Joyce Lilly (AKA Joyce) and Barbara the youngest. Joyce and Barbara lost their beloved mother at a very young early age and were raised by their father and late devoted and loved grandmother Anna Knight (Nanny).

Barbara graduated from St. Marks Elementary Catholic School in 1958. From there she attended Washington Irving High School in New York City. During her high school years Barbara met the love of her life Herman Williams. She left high school in her senior year to get married.

Herman and Barbara were wed on July 1st, 1962 in New York City. This marriage produced three daughters. Cassandra Ruby Williams(deceased), Debra Regina Williams-King, and Sandra Williams.

Barbara had various careers. She worked at Western Electric Company in Baltimore, Maryland where she and Debra lived for about 2 years.

As a child and teenager Barbara enjoyed spending her Summers in Baltimore staying with her Uncle James and Aunt Dixie who was her father’s sister. Her cousins in Baltimore were more like her brothers and sisters. Elois, Joan, Joyce, and Barbara were very close more like sisters. They always had the most fashionable clothes and hair always done in the latest styles. They always got stared at whenever they walked down the block. Everyone thought they were sisters.

Ma would tell us how she learned to drive in Baltimore with Elois. How they would go driving in Elois’ car and how close she and Elois had become. Barbara during her time in Baltimore became a member of her aunt and uncle’s church and sang on the choir. Cousins’ Henry and Diane were so very special to Barbara. She considered them her little brother and sister. She would often remember and laugh about the stories and fun times they shared.

Barbara moved back to New York City in 1969 were she and Herman raised their two daughters Debra and Sandra. For over thirty years Barbara worked as a Group Teacher and Teacher’s Assistant at two day care centers: Aren’t they Lovely Day Care which was owned by one her dearest friend’s Ruby Smith and The House of Little People which is owned by Barbara Robinson who was also one of her beloved friend’s. Barbara worked at The House of Little People for over 20 years until her retirement.

Obituary

ObituaryWhile working at The House of Little People her relationship with her co-workers was more of a family relationship. Each of you had a special place in her heart. She loved you all so much. She would often share so many funny stories about her day at work and co-workers with us. To Horace (thought of as her son), Sheila (thought of as her daughter), Alicia (thought of as her daughter), Jackie (thought of as her daughter), Mr. Ray (As mommy would call him -Music Man -always had a funny story), Mrs. R (As mommy would call her Boss lady), and all her other co-workers, Thank you for always loving our mom.

During Barbara’s years working as a Group Teacher and Teacher’s Assistant, she never gave up on her dream of getting her High School Diploma. Barbara achieved her dream by getting her GED in 1993. It was one of her biggest accomplishments in her life. My sister and I remember the day mommy got her test scores back that she passed and the look of excitement and achievement on her face was priceless. We were so very proud of mommy.

Barbara also volunteered at Harlem Hospital and Mount Sinai in the Nursery, Geriatrics, Oncology, and various other departments in the hospitals.

Barbara loved listening to all types of music. Especially her Gospel CD’s. Going to see her favorite singer Johnny Mathis in concert. Going to the movies, going out to dinner, dancing, singing, drawing, growing flowers, plants (Ma had a true green thumb), watching ice skating, and ballet on tv. Her favorite colors were yellow and pink.

Barbara never put herself first. She was a caring, loving, giving person. Always ready to help. She never judged people. She had a heart of gold. She would always say to us a problem/situation is never too big. Never give up. Have Faith. Pray. Trust in GOD. Trust in HIM as HE is always on time.

Barbara loved being a member of her Bronx Christian Fellowship Church in the Bronx (BCF). She loved her Pastors Tim and Que English. Pastor Tim would often joke and tell her age out loud always making her blush and laugh. Barbara got great joy when she decided to become an Usher. She took pride in wearing her uniform, putting on her gloves and usher badge. She loved her BCF family. She always said how warm everyone was to each other. She would have so much fun singing in the Senior Choir though she was resistant at first. When Pastor Tim found out she sang in the choir in Baltimore her told she was going to sing a solo. Mommy replied laughing “OH NO. I’m not doing that.” Mommy helped the Culinary Team out a lot when they found out she could make some good potato salad. She was there “go to” girl for potato salad for all the functions. Barbara rarely ever missed church. She truly enjoyed and loved her church family. Thank you BCF for loving her and for all of your prayers.

It was a great day in Barbara’s life the day her granddaughter Mia was born. Mia was the apple of her grandmother’s eye. The light of her grandmother’s heart. Barbara was always so very proud of her granddaughter. Barbara would affectionally call Mia Lil Mama. She helped raise Mia and taught her valuable lessons that Mia will have with her the rest of her life. They shared a bond that will never be broken. Barbara also shared a bond with her son-in-law Donald King that was very special. He was always there for Barbara and she loved him very much.

Barbara had a very close relationship with her sister-in-law Gwendolyn Williams. They were like sisters. Barbara also shared a brother-sister relationship with her brother-in-law Ernest L. Williams Sr. whom he lovely called Barbara sis.

To our Aunt Joyce. Please know how much your little sister adored her big sister. You were her protector watching out for her when you both were growing up. Mommy was always so grateful when you let us stay with you and your children until we found a place to live. Your sister bond will never be broken. Mommy would often share so many great stories about her big sister with us. She loved the long conversations you and her would have with each other on the phone. Mommy was so proud to have you as her big sister.

To all her nieces and nephews-your Aunt Barbara loved you all so very much. You all held a very special place in her heart and all the family knows that cousin Maria is known as Aunt Barbara’s daughter and cousin Anthony is known as Aunt Barbara’s son.

Barbara heard GOD’s voice, took GOD’s hand and transitioned from this life on March 27th, 2020. Barbara was preceded in death by her father Forrest Lilly, mother Ruby James Lilly, daughter Cassandra Ruby Williams, husband Herman Williams, sister-in-law Gwendolyn Williams, nephews: Derrick Williams, Joseph John Vargas, Jr, and niece Laura Ann Vargas Carrington.

Barbara leaves to cherish her precious memories her two daughters Debra Williams King and Sandra Williams. Son-in-law Donald King, granddaughter Mia Sadie King, sister Marsha Joyce Vargas-Boone, nieces Maria Vargas, Ursula Boone, Ernestine Williams, nephews Anthony Vargas, David Vargas, Lloyd Boone Jr, Dwayne Williams, Ernest L. Williams Jr, Eric Williams, and brother-in-law Ernest L. Williams, Sr as well as an abundance of great and great great nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and church members.

In addition, Barbara leaves to cherish her loving memory to friends and family Mr. Joseph Harris and his wife Alese Harris. She loved you both very much.

Obituary

630 St. Nicholas AvenueNew York, NY 10030Phone: (212) 281-8850

Fax: (212) 234-3600

BENTA'S

�

BENTA’SFuneral Home, Inc.

To Grandma

Acknowledgement We sincerely appreciate all the prayers and tokens of

love you have provided to our family. It means so much.

The family would like to take this opportunity to express

our sincerest appreciation for all the prayers, love and

thoughtfulness given to our family during our time of

bereavement. May GOD Bless you all.

For all the times you gently

picked me up when I fell down.

For all the times you tied my

shoes and tucked me into bed, or needed

Something, but put me first instead.

For everything we shared, the dreams, the laughter,

and the tears, I love you with a Special Love

That deepens every year.

Thank You Grandma.

Forever and Always, Your Lil Mama (Mia)