Deacon Robert Lewis Williams Sr.

September 13, 1927 - January 11, 2020

Robert Lewis Williams, Sr. was born on September 13, 1927 in Akron, Alabama to the late Eulela Williams and Oliver Dunson. He departed this earthly life on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 4:22pm at the age of 92. Robert was a self-made businessman and sole proprietor of Williams Home Improvement. Deacon Robert Williams, Sr. joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church in 1954 under the late W.T Neal pastoralship where he began to use his carpenter skills and talents. He was a hard-working, dedicated steward in God’s kingdom. He would oversee many projects such as: raising and digging of the basement, proudly assisted with building St. John’s first baptism pool and he served on the Van Ministry for many years repairing the van and driving the church to the Midwest Conference every year. Robert was a member of the Friendship Male Chorus. He took pride in the church and he believed in standing firm on the Word of God. Dea. Williams continued his devotion to the Lord under the pastoral care of Bishop Jerome Norwood where he proudly served The Lord’s Supper and he looked forward to this monthly. He served on the finance committee and was honored to be the only man whose name was present on the mortgages to purchase all three locations of the church: Kenton Street, Price Avenue and Thurman Drive. He was also a member of the Trustee Board and he served as a Senior Deacon on the Deacon Board until the day he departed his earthly life. He was recognized for his service in the church and honored on three occasions that he was most proud of:The Oldest Charter Member Award (1998), the Real Man/Real Fathers Award (2012), and the Brotherhood Service Award (2019). Robert drove an 18-wheel truck up and down the highway for many years until he became the proud owner of Williams Home Improvement. He enjoyed remodeling, detailing his car, growing flowers and working in the yard in his spare time. His hobbies consisted of fishing and bowling. Robert loved to dress and he was very particular about how his shoes had to shine. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Dunson and Godfrey Williams; two sisters, Isabella Jemison and Mable White; and a grandson, Lee Patrick Williams, Sr. Robert’s legacy will be kept alive by his devoted and loving wife, Dedra Williams with whom he shared a marriage of 26 years and 34 years of togetherness; his children, Bettye (Ronald) Tudor, Charlotte, NC, Elder Robert (Anna) Williams Jr., Sharon (Henry) Mason, Regina Sharp, Vanessa Mitchell, Rosha Williams, Angela (Carl) Williams III, Cincinnati, OH, Roger (Bianca) Fisher Sr., and Ronnie Lanier; 25 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; a God-daughter; an extended bonus daughter; five beloved sisters-in-law, Patricia Jackson, Frances Guy, Valerie Baltimore, Theresa Hayes, and Robin Fisher; three brothers-in-law, William Lee Jackson, James H. Jackson Jr., and Ronnie Fisher; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his church family with special gratitude to the Deacon Board and Brotherhood of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.