Obituaries

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Ulysses Jean Warren Williams was born on September 15, 1947 in Shelby County, Tennessee to Ulysses Warren and Annie Jane Moton Warren. She was the only child born to this union. From age three until adulthood she was raised by Jimmy & Lee Esther Johnson. She was raised with Allen Sheard and Rose Grinstead. She also had two other siblings, Willie Mitchell, Jr. and Aileen Brown.

Jean, as she was affectionately known, was educated in the Helena-West Helena school district and graduated from Eliza Miller High School in 1964. She attended Philander Smith College and matriculated to the University of Central Arkansas graduating in 1968 with a degree in Special Education. During her time at Philander Smith College in 1966 she pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Tau Chapter.

On December 5, 1966, she married her life partner, Foster Williams Sr. and unto this union was born four children. Jean confessed and believed in Christ at a very early age and together with her husband and family raised their children at Second Baptist Church in West Helena.

Jean began her professional career as a special education teacher and later advanced in her career to a guidance counselor. She worked in the Helena-West Helena school district, Elaine School District and ended her career in the Holly Grove school district spending a total of 37 years in public education until retiring in 2006. She continued to serve part-time at the Phillips County Developmental Center as an Educational Specialist until her passing.

One of her greatest joys was her 53 year membership and service to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Over the years, she would serve in various capacities including State Director and Zeta Dove Coordinator. At her passing, she was Basileus of Theta Gamma Zeta Chapter in West Helena, Arkansas.

Jean departed this earthly life on Friday, November 15, 2019 at her home in West Helena with her devoted husband at her side. She was preceded in death by her birth parents; Ulysses & Annie Warren and life parents; Jimmy & Lee Esther Johnson, brothers; Willie Mitchell, Allen Sheard, a sister; Aileen Brown.

She leaves to share and cherish memories four children and a bonus son: Tasha Williams Stevenson of Arlington, Texas; Foster Williams, Jr. (Sandra) of Nashville, Tennessee; AnQuentin Williams (Tiffany); LaQuentin Williams both of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Victor Ward-Jones of Nashville, Tennessee; nine grandchildren: Jordan, Aria, Vincent (VJ), Tarius, Akeil, Quentin, Jaiden, Michael, JaKylon and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special loved ones include six brothers and seven sisters gained from her union to Foster, Sr., sister Rose Grinstead, cousin Patsy Britt. Special friends: Etta Bland, Minnie Thomas, Ollie Rayford, Bernestine Williams, Jackie Fleming, Addletha Bledsoe, Maddlyn Sample, and Naomi Doss and many more.

Numerous children in the Helena, West Helena, Elaine and Holly Grove school systems that had the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Williams will forever remember her commitment to higher education. She will be greatly missed.