Bessie Williams

Bessie Louise Williams born December 23, 1932 was an only child to Rosa L. Quarles and J.W. Dawson.

Bessie was a native of Wortham Texas, resident of Waco Texas for 66 years, before retirement in Wortham.

Bessie married Parnell Williams in 1949. To this union three children were born, Anthony “Buster”, Kay and Kevin.

Bessie attended and graduated from Wortham Independent School District with honors. She was proud of her scholastic and athletic abilities. Bessie was a graduate of Paul Quinn College (Waco) and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, her life’s work was dedicated to social work primarily focusing on children and disenfranchised adults seeking better education opportunities. She was employed by Head Start, Doris Miller YMCA, EOAC and Butterland Day Care Center.

In her leisure, Bessie enjoyed traveling, playing Bid Whist and spoiling her family.

She was an active and faithful member of First Baptist Church NBC, Inc since 1949 under Pastor L.F. Hardee (deceased), Pastor H.J Overstreet and Dr. George R. Harrison. Upon her return to Wortham her Christian journey continued at Smith Chapel (Dr. R.K. Redmond, Sr.) and Full Faith P.B.C. (Pastor Jamal Henry). 

Bessie departed this life on May 31, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Parnell Williams; sister, Rubye Fairley and a daughter-in-law, Marva L. Williams.

Bessie leaves to cherish her precious memories: her children, Tony, Kay and Kevin; one brother, Clinton Dawson (Pat); six grandchildren, Charlotte (Charles), Kirsten, Keisha, Avery, Keith (Yolunda) and Korey (Shaunequa); twenty-two great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; four special friends, Cherry Boggess, Lora Perry, Cecil Carter and Shirley Yancy, one special cousin, W.T. Alexander (Dutchie) and the Spring Street neighborhood.

Our Mother and Grandmother loved all of you which includes a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; far too numerous to name.

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