Epitome of a Life Well Lived

James Curtis Williams was born May 8, 1925, to the union of Jerry Williams and Fannie Black Williams in Dale, OK. James attended and graduated from the historic Dunbar High School in Shawnee, OK. He was drafted into the United States Navy, May 12, 1943, just four days after his 18th birthday, and served honorably for three years. After discharge he married Larneva Clinton Williams, in Los Angeles, CA, where their first daughter was born. James and Larneva moved to the Shreveport, LA area, and both enrolled in Grambling College.

James graduated from Grambling College in 1954 with a degree in secondary science and a minor in music education, and from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1967 with a Master of Education degree. He taught science, math, and was a band and choir director. James taught school in DeSoto, Bossier, and Caddo Parishes for 60-years until retirement, encouraging learners in schools, the community, and the family to work toward greater educational achievements. He was a life member of multiple organizations: Grambling University National Alumni Association, Grambling University Shreveport Alumni Association, NAACP, Boy Scouts of America, Caddo-Bossier Retired Teachers Association, and the J.K. Haynes Foundation.

James was reared in a Christian home in McLoud, OK, with his parents and siblings. His mother, Fannie Black Williams, served as church doorkeeper and choir member, his grandfather was instrumental in founding the church, and his father, Jerry Williams, served as a deacon – all at Mount Olive Baptist Church, McLoud, OK. James became a member of Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA, under the pastorship of Rev. King, in 1957, where he was a devoted member until his death. He served as a Sunday School Teacher, Brotherhood member, leader of teachers' meetings, Superintendent of Sunday School, BTU/BYPTU leader. He even sang in the choir for a time.

James C. Williams and Larneva Clinton Williams were blessed with four children: Shirley M. Williams Sewell, James C. Williams, Jr, Donald Gene Williams, deceased (Shirley Ann), and Patsy R. Williams Smith. James was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Williams and Fannie Black Williams; wife, Larneva Clinton Williams; son, Donald Gene Williams; daughter, Beatrice Williams Fortune; and siblings Elk Williams, Fred Williams, Geraldine Williams Daughty, Richard Williams, Artis Williams, and Ethel Williams Turner.

He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters Shirley Sewell (Raymond) of Missouri City, TX, and Patsy Smith (Charles) of Oklahoma City, OK; sons James C. Williams, Jr. (Nicole), and Vincent C. Williams of Shreveport, LA; granddaughters Daphne S. Sewell, Christian D. Smith, Courtney A. L. Smith (Alfredo), and Kim I. S. Gabriel (Travis); grandsons Reginald L. Sewell (Donteak), Jerrett B. Williams, Charles J. Smith, III, Andre C. Williams (Erica), and Christopher D. Williams (Miya). James has eleven great-grandchildren: Kiah D. Rayford, Jada L. Battson, K'myri S. Gabriel, LaToya Williams, Zoe Williams, Raydon L. Sewell, Donovan N. Sewell, Kianna C. Smith, Kaitlin R. Smith, Kamryn I. Smith, and Christopher D. Williams, Jr.

James would like to be remembered in the hearts of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends as a caring, inspiring teacher, and leader of a phenomenal family.