Florence B. Williams

Florence Earline Brownlee Williams, daughter of the late Hubert C. Brownlee and Minnie Brownlee Jenkins was born in Orangeburg, SC on January 3, 1944. While her father was stationed throughout the United States and western hemisphere, serving in the US Navy, she lived as far north as New York City and as far south as Trinidad. After her father’s passing, the family returned to Orangeburg where she completed her early education at Christ the King School and Wilkinson High School. Upon graduation, she traveled to Raleigh, NC to attend Saint Augustine’s College (now University) where she would meet and marry her husband Robert E. Williams, Jr. and complete her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. They settled in Raleigh, starting a family, first with a son, Ryan and years later, with a daughter, Leslie. Florence proudly taught Reading / English / Adult Basic Education for the North Carolina Correctional System for over 28 years. She taught juvenile offenders, both male and female, in facilities in Rocky Mount, Morganton, and Raleigh, NC. Florence continued her educational pursuits, receiving certifications in English as a Second Language teacher and Ethics training. Florence retired from teaching and returned to Orangeburg with Robert in 2007 to be closer to family. Robert would become ill in 2009 and later transitioned on Christmas 2016. Florence was a lifetime member of the National Education Association (NEA) for many decades and continued her membership into her retirement. She volunteered as a tutor to children and served as an Orangeburg County Democratic Party voter educator and registrar for past presidential and midterm elections. Additionally, she was a member of Williams Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, like her grandmother, mother, and sisters. Florence’s earthly journey was masterfully complete, so she answered God’s call on June 8, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Robert, and her parents, her stepfather, Alphonso R. Jenkins, her younger brother, Robert, and her sisters, Helen Cecil Washington and Tanya Jenkins Perez. Left to cherish her precious memories her children: son, Ryan A. Williams of Wake Forest, NC and daughter, Leslie N. (Sean) Glover of Mint Hill, NC; her grandchildren, I. Khamil Thomas of Greensboro, NC and Khadin A. Williams of Wake Forest, NC; her aunt, Pearl Brownlee of Orangeburg, SC; her niece, Pauline Washington of Washington, D.C., her brother-in-law, Luis Perez of Orangeburg, SC and nieces and nephew, Mercedes Perez and Sasha Perez of Orangeburg, SC, and Luis Perez II of Orangeburg, SC and an adopted brother, Roy Greene, Jr. of Orangeburg, SC. She leaves behind a multitude of loving family members and lifelong friends from elementary and secondary school, her life in Raleigh, and retirement in Orangeburg. We will miss and cherish you, Florence.

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Florence B. Williams

January 3, 1944 - June 8, 2025