Copyright © 2010 Marks Funeral Home, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
Celebration of Home Going Services
for
Artis Williams
Sunrise Sunset
Nov. 5, 1935 Jan. 9, 2013
Service to be held:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
1:00 pm
St. Stephens Baptist Church
111 Smith St.
Stephens, AR 71764
Eulogist -Rev. Daryl Hope
Family hour will be Monday, January 14, 2013
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
at Marks Funeral Home, Inc
1392 S. Jackson Magnolia, AR
Obituary
Deacon Artis Williams, 77, passed away peacefully on 1-9-2013 at his home in Stephens, AR. He was born on November 5, 1935 in Stephens, AR, to the late John Sr. and Martha Williams. Deacon Williams married Ruby Sims of Selma, AR in 1965. They had been happily married for 47 plus years. Together, this union has one son, Cedric (Brandye) Williams, and two granddaughters, Tyra and Sydni, of Sherwood, AR.
He was a 1957 graduate of the Carver High School of Stephens, AR. After high school, he attended Arkansas Baptist in Little Rock, AR, AM&N (UAPB) in Pine Bluff, AR where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science, Fisk University in Nashville, TN, where he received a Master’s degree in Science Education, and continued to gain more knowledge by furthering studying at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. Deacon Williams returned home to Stephens and was an educator in the Stephens Public School System for 34 years and retired. He later returned, part-time, to the McNeil Public School District for 2 years.
As a member of the St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, he walked in the ministry of Deacon where he served as Chairman for many years. He has served as a Youth Sunday School Teacher, and initiated the Stephens High School Senior Day, held annually at St Stephens at 6 pm, the first Sunday in May. This program has spanned over 30 years and was designed to exhort and honor students as they embark on the journey into the next chapter of their lives.
In the community, he was a member of St. John lodge #456 where he served as Most Worshipful Master for many years and J.C. Corbin Consistory no. 204; Ouachita Conservation District; Farm Bureau Insurance Board; the Buena Vista Water Association, President of Carver High School Reunion Committee, and a volunteer at the Stephens Community Outreach Center.
Yes, over the years, Deacon Williams has accomplished much—a family Man, an Educator, a Pillar of his community---and we applaud him. Although he achieved much, he always maintained his quiet, temperate, poised, spiritual standard across every walk of life—his many accomplishments did not change the Man. Therefore, we celebrate his life today for the example he has set for us as a Man of God in all aspects of his life.
Deacon Artis Williams is survived by his spouse Ruby Williams of Stephens, AR; his son, Cedric (Brandye) Williams of Sherwood, AR; his daughters, Cecila Williams of Newport, AR, Andria Williams of Guy, Arkansas; his sisters Louise Manley of Texarkana, AR, Ellen Futch of Detroit, Michigan; his brothers Johnnie Williams of Little Rock, AR, Lonnie (Rosie) Williams of Stephens, AR; his grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A special thank you to Caregivers Brenda Torrence, Rosemary Stevens and
The staff at Lifetouch Hospice of Eldorado, AR,
