Rev. Ray Charles Williams, Sr.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee a ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21 A faithful servant, a devoted husband, a loving son, father and brother, and a friend to many - such was the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Ray C. Williams, Sr. It is recorded in the record book that on February 17, 1950, in Sparkman, Arkansas, Alexander & Gustell Williams became the proud parents of a son named Ray. During his tender childhood, he gave his life to Christ and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sparkman, Arkansas. It was there that he learned how to be a servant to others. That’s when his life of servanthood began. He was educated in the Sparkman School District and was a 1968 graduate of Sparkman Training School. He later joined the United States Air Force where he served as chaplain, Major and received the Meritorious Service Medal. On December 25, 1969, Ray married the apple of his eye, Cynitha Wilson. The Lord blessed their union with three handsome sons, Ray, Jr., Tim and Everett. Ray had a warm and inviting smile; people drew close to him because of this smile and his friendly demeanor. Ray enrolled at Ouachita Baptist University where he received his BSE of Science degree in Education. He later attended Payne Theological Seminary where he received his Maters degree of Divinity. He served faithfully in church ministries before submitting to the “Call of the Ministry,” Rev. Williams was the pastor of Bethel A.M.E. of Greenville, Texas for over 21 years. His pastoral appointments included Mt. Pine, Arkansas, Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Wilmont, AR, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Ft. Smith, AR, St. James A.M.E. Church in Yoakum, TX, and Ebenezer A.M.E Church in Paris, TX. Dr. Williams was known throughout the community as a friendly man, and a godly man with a strong devotion to God. Dr. Williams never put his position and title of God’s work in helping others. He was a Texas state licensed chemical dependency counselor, marriage and family therapist. As Rev. Williams approached his last hours , he was surrounded by his family to bid him a safe journey awaited by the open, loving arms of her Heavenly Father. On July 3, 2009, after fifty-nine seasons, Rev. Williams answered the call that no man can refuse. He was welcomed to his eternal home by his father, Alexander Williams, his son, Timothy Williams, and his beloved wife, Reverend Cynthia E. Williams. Rev. Williams leaves a legacy of love and service to his loving and caring sons, Ray C. Williams, Jr. and Everett Williams both of Dallas, TX; his mother, Mrs. Gustell Williams of Sparkman, AR; sisters, Hazel (Fred) Stewart of Milwaukee, WI, Rosetta Seals of Inkster, MI, Juanita Matlock, Gwendolyn (Spencer) Davis, Linda Perry all of Little Rock, AR; a brother, John Williams of Sparkman, AR; his mother-in-law Lee Alice Brunson of Little Rock, AR; two aunts, Estell (John) Thrower of Milwaukee, WI, and Annie B. Trotter of Warren, AR; a great-aunt, Elvira Dawn of Sparkman, AR; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends, as well as, the Bethel A.M.E. church family in Greenville, Texas. Rev. Williams will lie in state at the funeral home on Monday, July 13, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1505 Caddo Street. A Celebration Service of Thanksgiving to God for the life of Rev. Ray C. Williams, Sr., will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Pleasant Hill A.M.E. Church in the Joan Community, where Rev. Thomas Brazil is the pastor. Rev. C. V. Boyd, Presiding Elder of Hot Springs District will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with military honors. Bearers of the casket will be Rev. Steven Matlock, Dea. George Walker, Dea. Spencer Davis, Dea. Fred Stewart, Dea. John Williams and Trent Bryant. Honorary bearers will be Charles Peter Blacknall, Doc Blacknall, Rufus Scroggins, Mentrail Mapps, Sr., Thurman Hoskins, and William Mayberry.