Mother Zelberdia Williams

Our Heavenly Father saw fit to call Mother Zelberdia Williams from labor to reward on Sunday, October 21, 2007, in her 81st season. Her passing reminds us that life is uncertain, but death is sure. Zelberdia Sanders Williams was born on May 10, 1926, in Malvern, AR. She was the daughter of Edward and Annie Lee Lindsey Sanders. Mother Williams attended the Malvern public schools. She married Elder J. J. Watson Sr. who preceded her in death. To this union six children were born, Annie, Lajuanna, James, Samuel, Theron and Michael. She remained faithful to Elder Watson until his death on July 4, 1974. The family resided in Fort Smith, Arkansas at that time. She was a member and first lady of Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ, Arkadelphia. She served faithfully beside her husband and held positions of Sunday school teacher, YPWW teacher, licensed missionary and president of the Women’s Department. Her involvement with the Church was extended to the district and state levels. She served diligently as a member and former president of the Ministers’ Wife Circle and former president of the District Sunshine Band in the Arkadelphia District. She also held the positions of Dean of the State Women’s Convention of the Church of God in Christ, State President of the Sunshine Band and a member of the State Women’s Convention Program Committee. On August 13, 1977, she married Elder Ray Williams. She was a 1984 graduate of Henderson State University and a former educator in the Arkadelphia Public School District. She was preceded in death by her parents and five children: Artis H. Williams, Ray Williams, Jr., J. P. Newborn, Lajuanna Spear and Theron Watson. Mother Williams leaves to cherish her legacy of love & service; her husband of thirty years, Superintendent Ray Williams; nine children, Emma J. (Mose) Hooks of North Little Rock, AR, Alfred (Shirley) Scott of Arkadelphia, AR, Joe Charles (Lisa) Williams of Arkadelphia, AR, Annie (Ellis) Bishop of Ft. Smith, AR, Beasley (Clara) Williams of Odessa, TX, Faye E. (Charles) Guinn of Mesquite, TX, Elder James (Tracy) Watson of North Little Rock, AR, Samuel Watson of Newport, AR, Michael Watson of Ft. Smith, AR; one sister, Gracie Betts of Denver, CO, and one brother, Elder. Royce N. Sanders of Malvern, AR; forty-seven grandchildren, eighty-four great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends as well as the Mt. Zion COGIC family. Mother Zelberdia Williams will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home, 1517 Caddo, Arkadelphia, on Friday, October 26, 2007, from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. A Service of Tribute will be held on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 16th & Caddo Streets, Arkadelphia, AR. The final celebration and tribute to the life & legacy of Mother Zelberdia Williams will be Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 12:00 noon in the sanctuary of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., pastor. Bishop D. L. Lindsey, Prelate and Chief Celebrant, Superintendent Frank J. Anderson, Jr., Presiding, her son and Pastor Elder James Watson of Northside COGIC of Ft. Smith will be the eulogist. The Committal Service & Final Resting Place will be in Piney Grove Cemetery, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Matthan Watson, James J. Watson, Anthony Bishop, Phillip Guinn, Charles Bishop, Yeshua Watson, Moses Hooks, Jr., and Vincent Bishop Honorary bearers of the casket will be Nephews, Grandsons, Officials of the Women’s Department, Officials of the AIM Department, and Mother’s Board