Barbara Jo Williams' Obituary
Barbara Jo Williams (nèe Harris), a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, sister, friend, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2024, at the age of 78. Her life was a beautiful testament to faith, love, continuous learning, and dedication, leaving a profound legacy for her family and all who knew her.
Born on March 11, 1946, in Austin, TX, Barbara attended the original L.C. Anderson High School, where she developed a love for learning and a drive to make a difference. She was highly organized and excelled at writing, History, and English. After completing her high school education, her desire for continuous learning led her to pursue higher education at Compton Community College in Los Angeles, CA, City College in San Francisco, CA, and Chabot Community College in Hayward, CA.
Barbara participated in the Future Nurses of America and served as a Candy Striper at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. Initially desiring to become a nurse, she turned her attention to hospital administration. While living in Los Angeles, she worked as an Admitting Clerk at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital in Compton, CA. In the Northern Bay Area, she was employed by Hayward Vesper Hospital, where she was able to demonstrate her compassion for patients by ensuring admissions paperwork was sufficiently completed as well as explaining financial expectations.
Barbara met Johnny Williams in the study hall at L.C. Andersen High School. Her courtship with Johnny continued to blossom beyond high school. Johnny joined the Air Force and left Texas. Barbara, ever the explorer, sought new adventures in Los Angeles, California. Despite the distance, their love remained steadfast through heartfelt letters and phone calls, and they wed at Booker T. Washington Terrace Community City in Austin, Texas on December 24, 1968.
From their union, Barbara and Johnny Williams were blessed with two children, Urbi Lewis and Jamila Rhymes. They have two beautiful and intelligent granddaughters, Lailah and Elle; Son-in-laws Shawn of Richmond, CA, and Alturo of Chicago, IL. Throughout their journey together, Barbara and her beloved Johnny Williams explored the world, embarking on unforgettable adventures across Europe, the Caribbean, South Africa, Mexico, and Hawaii. They cherished these experiences, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
Known for their warm and generous spirit, Barbara and Johnny Williams hosted family and friends in their apartment at Geneva Towers, as well as in their Hayward home. Their doors were always open, and they welcomed all with open arms. Barbara was a pillar of support for anyone seeking new opportunities, furthering their education, or simply wanting to explore the wonders of California. Brothers, cousins, friends, and countless others found solace and encouragement in Barbara’s presence.
At the age of 15, Barbara, gave her life to Christ, learning early the importance of a personal relationship with the Lord. Regardless of where life and travels took her, she always kept God at the center of her life. When she moved to Hayward, California, she found a spiritual home at Palma Ceia Baptist Church. As a member for over 45 years, Barbara participated in several auxiliary services to support the church and surrounding community and raised her daughters to “know God for themselves” (Proverbs 22:6).
One of Barbara’s callings was educating others about the importance of wealth planning and management. She would eagerly engage in conversations with anyone she met, sharing her knowledge about bills, investing, credit cards, property ownership, and maximizing the benefits of a 401k. Barbara firmly believed that everyone had the potential to be financially independent and took joy in guiding others towards that goal.
Volunteering was also a passion. She taught adult literacy as part of the Hayward Public Library system for several years, helping individuals, including a 70-year-old woman, learn to read the Bible for the first time. Barbara also had a love for cooking, famous for her peach cobbler made with fresh peaches from her backyard in Hayward. She cherished making homemade bread and jams, skills passed down from her mother, with orange and peach preserves being family favorites.
Barbara is survived by her devoted husband, Johnny, her two loving daughters, Urbi Natifia Lewis and Jamila Bahati Rhymes, and siblings Helen Johnson, Hattie Louise Sugg, and James Eddie Harris. Her love and devotion to her family and friends will forever be treasured. She will be remembered for her authentic laugh, quick wit, infectious smile, and twinkle for life in her eyes. She leaves behind a legacy of love, energy, compassion, and acceptance that will continue to inspire future generations. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
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