Juanita Williams

Juanita Williams was born on January 10, 1937 to the late Ellis and Rebecca Armstead in Bessemer, Alabama. She was the second born of thirteen children. Juanita, affectionately known as "Bay", departed this life on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. She attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and later graduated from Dunbar High School in Bessemer, Alabama. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Isaac Williams of Bessemer and to this union four Children were born. Juanita confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined Second Avenue Beulah Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend R.T. Thomas. She worshipped faithfully until her health began to fail. She worked for many years, and retired from Birmingham Stove and Range. Cooking was her favorite hobby. She loved her children, siblings, family and friends. Juanita lived her life to the fullest. Can't you hear her say. "Don't grieve for me for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Lift up you hearts and share with me. God wanted me now, He set me free." She leaves to cherish her memories: three children, Erma, Keith and Greg (Della); eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grand children; nine sisters and three brothers. She is preceded in death by one sister.