Sandra Williams

Sandra Arminta Beatty Williams was born on February 3, 1943 to James and Thelma Beatty in Washington Court House, Ohio. Known as the change of life baby, her brothers were 13 and 18 years old when she arrived on the scene. She joked her mom needed a girl to take care of her when she grew old; and she did just that. Her mother took her to church at the First Church of God in Washington Court House where she accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ as her savior and has served him ever since. Sandra received her education in Washington Court House and upon graduating she relocated to Columbus, Ohio where she obtained her nursing license as an LPN. While attending college she stayed with Brother Marvin and Sister Essie Thompson. Their home was a boarding house for young adults. This is where she would meet and fall in love with the love of her life, Ernest Williams. After a six month courtship, they became husband and wife and married on December 15, 1962, at First Church of God on Wilson and Fair by Pastor Gladys B. Walker. To this union two children were born; Arminta E. Williams and Ernest W. Williams, III. Ernest owned his own construction company and this allowed Sandra to stay home with the children. Once they started school Sandra entered the workforce. She worked for Dr. Manual in his family practice on Grant Avenue, 2 block from Grant Medical Center. She worked for him for five years. From there she worked for the Ohio Department of Health retiring in 2006 after 35 years of service. Sandra was very active in the church. She served as President over the Missionary Society for years before stepping down in 2008, and received an award from Bishop Clarke for her faithful years of service. Deacon Sandra and her husband co-taught the marriage class during Sunday School. This class started out as an eight-week series that lasted for three years. She served faithfully on Diaconate Board of First Church and was recently given the title Emeritus. She was a prayer warrior, encourager, aunt, friend and Mammaw to many. Her greatest joy in ministry was the annual clothing give-a-way. She cherished the many hours of preparation and laughter it brought while at “Old” First Church on Wilson and Fair. As a child and young adult she frequented West Middlesex’s Zion Hill and often spoke about how she and her friends would walk into town in heels. Her last trip to West Middlesex was in 2012. She also served as a Deacon and was faithful until recently given the title Emeritus. She was a prayer warrior, encourager, aunt, friend and Mammaw to many. Her greatest ministry joy was the annual clothing give-a-way. The many hours of preparation and laughter we had on Wilson and Fair was rewarding. Deacon Sandra loved her community and the church family, they both blessed her and made her heart smile. Deacon Sandra and her family were twice recipient of public recognition, featured in 1993, in the Call and Post, “Focus on Families,” and in 2000 in the Columbus Dispatch, “Generations Living Under One Roof,” Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Deacon Sandra enjoyed travelling and shopping. Her last trip was with the First Church of God Women’s Ministry in 2012. She said “she wanted to hang with the women.” She also enjoyed entertaining family and friends, cooking and spending quality time with her grandchildren. Deacon Sandra overcame a triple bypass surgery in 2011; in May of 2014 she suffered congestive heart failure, and had been fighting ever since. She endured pain and would apologize for crying out. On April 16, 2015 at 1:50 a.m., surrounded by all her family, Sandra entered into eternal peace. She is preceded in death by her parents; James L. and Thelma A. Beatty, brothers; Donald E. and James L. Beatty, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories, and fulfill her legacy her loving, faithful, caregiver of 53 years Ernest W. Williams, Jr., devoted daughter; Arminta Williams, supportive son; Ernest W. Williams, III, and the apples of her eyes, her grandchildren; Tiffany A. Williams, Cassady M. Williams, Ernest W. Williams, IV., MyKailah A. King, Chantel M. Williams and Anthony L. Wade, Jr., brother-in-law; Rudolph Williams of San Francisco, CA, sister-in-laws; Annette Shelton, San Francisco, CA, Marie (Ronald) Betton, Barbara Smith and brother in law; Herman Maynus all of Columbus, Ohio, Godson; Kyl A. Terry, honorary daughters; Sylvia Gaddis and Vanessa Thompson, extended family; Jacqui Skiver, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.