Beatrice S. Williams

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV Beatrice S. "Bea" Williams was one of six children of Amanda Stratton and Albert Bond and Richard Stratton who reared her; she was born November 2, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1957 from West Philadelphia High School and received her Associates degree from Philadelphia Community College. She also attended Benjamin Franklin Evening School and Court Reporting School where she received high honors. During her 42 years of service for the City of Philadelphia, Bea's strong work ethic and professional skills led her to significant advances in the City Solicitor's Office; she continued her administrative duties as secretary for the Office of the District Attorney, and eventually became a judicial secretary for the Honorable Lawrence Prattis and Honorable Patrice Tucker. Bea accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She attended Beaulah Baptist Bible School where she earned a certificate in Bible Studies. She was a devoted member of Prinn Memorial Baptist Church for more than 30 years; she wed Jarvis Williams there on October 1, 1966. From this union, she was blessed to raise three wonderful daughters, LaPrenda, Sharina, and Tammi. She and Jarvis moved to Punta Gorda in 1999 and became active members of First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte. Bea loved singing in the choir and was known for wearing her lovely hats. Her chosen life verse was Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) and indeed now she does fully know that "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." During her illness, Bea's strength was formed by her faith in the Lord; she was prepared to answer whenever the Heavenly Father called. Bea passed into the presence of her Lord on August 10, 2011 after a lengthy illness. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 44 years, Jarvis; daughters, LaPrenda (Leonard) Thomas and Sharina (Phillip Lenny) Lomax both of Philadelphia, and Tammi (Bryant) Moore of Punta Gorda; grandchildren, Jarrell and Isaiah Lomax of Philadelphia, and April and Bryant Moore of Punta Gorda; brothers, Joseph (Ruth) Bond and James (Linda) Bond; sisters, Amanda (Willie) Johnson, Annie (Stephen) Smallwood, Margaret (Lafayette) Bunch, Sybil (Anthony) Supton, and Jeanette Johnson; aunt, Louise Reynolds; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, and her First Baptist Church family. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.