Connie Lee Williams

On February 19, 1958, Elijah Williams and Vendera Lock welcomed the birth of a son whom they named Connie Lee. Elijah and Vendera knew right away that one day he would be a devoted husband, loving father, and one’s most trusted friend. Connie Lee gave his life to Christ at an early age and joined Eastern Star Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon. It was there at Eastern Star that he was taught servant hood. Connie served his church and community faithfully. He later joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Antoine, Arkansas under the leadership of Rev. Rufus R. Hatley where he also served as a deacon and was a member of Voices of Praise. Lastly he joined New Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Quintin Radford serving there as deacon, transportation supervisor, kitchen assistant and Sunday School secretary. He was educated in Gurdon and was a 1977 graduate of Gurdon High School where he excelled as a student. Connie grew up to be a humorous, kind and intelligent young man. Connie was known for his sense of humor and infectious laugh. He was known by his friends, as well as, family as “Jigum”, “Big Man”, “ReeRun” and “Mr. Connie” by the youth in the church and throughout the community. Connie met the sweet and soft spoken Evangeline Ootsey. After an appropriate period of courtship and believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” they married on August 8, 1981. The Lord added to their union Christopher, Jeremy and Timothy. Together they made many sacrifices to care for their family. He possessed a very lively spirit and was a “Preacha’s Deacon”. Connie could be heard across the sanctuary “backing” the preacher with his spirited Amen’s and praises. He was employed at International Paper Company in Gurdon, Loral Vaught in Camden, and Firestone Building Products in Prescott. He was a Certified Nurse's Assistant and Certified Welder. Connie loved God and His people. Her found great joy in ministering to the youth, fishing, barbequing, and “shade tree mechanics”. He took pride in his honorary title as a parking attendant for Williams Funeral Home. His service, devotion, love, and friendship will be missed, but never forgotten. Trusting in God’s word “Be thou faithful until death and I will give thee a crown of life” Connie surrendered his soul to Christ on Monday, January 10, 2011, at Baptist Health Medial Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Those awaiting his arrival and to welcome him home are his parents, his grandfather Roy Lock and two brothers, Donnie Williams, Wayne Williams and one sister, Louise Williams Pickins. Connie leaves in God’s care his loving and devoted wife, Evangeline “Van” Williams; three handsome sons, Christopher Williams of Gurdon, Jeremy Williams of Gurdon , and Timothy R. Williams a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; his uncle Charles (Willie Bell) Williams of Lapanto, Arkansas, his god-daughter, Latalia Henry of Malvern, Arkansas; a childhood brother Ken House of Malvern, Arkansas, numerous cousins, countless friends and his beloved New Mt. Zion Baptist Church family. Deacon Williams will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, January 14, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet and receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. The celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011 in the sanctuary of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church where Rev. Johnny Harris is the pastor. Rev. Rufus R. Hatley will deliver the eulogy. The committal service and earthly resting place will be at Springhill Cemetery in Arkadelphia. Bearers of the casket will be Orlando Franklin, Rufus Hatley, Jr., Danny Hart, Brad Hatley, Eddie Rogers, Charles Smith, John Smith, Raymond Welch, David Young, and Bernard Hatley.