“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Today, we are gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend, Mrs. Florie Jane Beckett-Williams. Mrs. Florie Jane Beckett-Williams was born on October 24, 1947, in Hampton County, South Carolina, to the late Mr. Alex Beckett and the late Mrs. Elease Ruth Smart. She attended the public schools of Hampton County, formally known as Estill Training School. At an early age, Florie joined Efferson Missionary Baptist Church of Nixville, SC, where she served on the young adult choir. In November of 2003, she moved her membership to the First Thankful Fillybranch Baptist Church of Estill, SC, along with her devoted husband, the late Mr. Richard Williams, Sr., until her health began to fail and she transitioned.
On January 17, 1964, she was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her life whom she met at the age of fifteen, and she married him at the age of sixteen years old. Her loving husband, the late Mr. Richard Williams, Sr., was her first and only lover, her best friend and confidant. They were married for fifty-six years upon his passing on April 12, 2020. To their union, they were blessed with seven children.
She enjoyed going to church and listening to gospel music and to local artists like The Twilights Gospel Singers of Nixville, SC. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and planting her beautiful flowers as she had a green thumb that would make anything grow. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, meeting new people, beginning long conversations, and she would share whatever she had with anyone. Mrs. Florie Jane Williams transitioned from her earthly home on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Gus) Williams, Sr.; parents, Alex Beckett and Elease Ruth-Smart; four children, Richard (Bam-Bam) Williams, Jr., Jackie Michelle Williams-Bennett, Joyce Irene Williams, and Melissa Elease Williams-Loadholt; two grandchildren, Robert Lee (RJ) Haynes, Jr., and Marcus Allen Haynes; great-grandson, Master Kaiden Lavon Busby; sister, Ms. Darlene Overstreet; brothers, Leroy Smart, John Lewis Smart, and Henry Lee Smart; sisters-in-law, Vidalia Williams-Gant, Verdell Williams Gant, Verdell Williams-Williams, Alvester Williams-Winzey, Dorothy Villiams-Russell, Annie Reatha Moree-Williams, Rebecca Williams, and Mrs. Ruby Lee Williams-Green; brothers-in-law, Issac Williams, Andrew Williams, Sr., Joseph Gant, Benjamin Gant, and Emmanuel Williams.
Her memories will forever be cherished in the hearts of her loving daughters, Evangelist Janet Williams, Estill, SC, Evangelist Jacklyn Elaine Williams of Savannah, GA and Richie Dean Williams of Grovetown, GA; stepchildren, Janea Antieniece and Justin Garvin, both of Charleston, SC; sister, Ms. Linda Bryant of Savannah, GA; brother, Arthur Lee Smart of Estill, SC; two stepsisters, Valarie Fields and Mary Ann Fields-Edwards both of Beaufort, SC; stepbrother, Joseph Fields of New York; adopted sisters, Ruthe Mae Furman, Pearlie Mae Brantley, Elnora Newton, and Laura Sabb; three sisters-in-law, Johnny Mae Wright of Ridgeland, SC, Chloetia Alston-Bibbs of Scotia, SC, and Mrs. Wilene Robinson-Smart of Allendale, SC; brothers-in-law, MacArthur (Andrea) Williams of Furman, SC, and Marion (Sarah) Williams of Estill, SC; grandchildren who were raised in her home, Ashley Nicole (Quinten) Buckner of Varnville, SC, Aaron Demarco Loadholt of Charleston, SC, Dr. Whitney Shareika (Isaac) Gray of Locust Grove, GA, Jeremy Leonard Bennett of Nashville, TN, and Kendall Lavon Busby of Estill, SC; two special nieces, Quinette Williams-Lawson of Jefferson, GA and Sabrina Warren of Fairfax, SC; special friends, Leroy and Delores Wesley of Gifford, SC; and a host of loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
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