Sunrise: July 22, 1934~ Sunset: December 11, 2022

"A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE, A GOD TO GLORIFY, A NEVER-DYING SOUL TO SAVE AND FIT IT FOR THE SKY…"

We rejoice to announce the transition of the Reverend Dr. Hubert Sam Williams on December 11, 2022, from labor to rest in the Lord.

Dr. Williams, 88, was born on July 22, 1934 in Hemingway, SC to the late Lawrence Derrick Williams and the late Elizan Eaddy Williams.  He attended the local schools in Williamsburg County, graduating from Vox High School where he met the "Love of his Life" Lula Mae McGill.  After graduation, the couple married on September 15, 1951.  To that union, six children were born.  The couple later moved to Winston-Salem, NC where Dr. Williams worked many jobs, from ditch digging to construction, and anything in between to provide for his family.  He started out at Winston Leaf Tobacco Company, and also worked at Hanes Hosiery for many years before leaving to work at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company from where he retired.

After receiving the call to preach, Dr. Williams attended Winston-Salem Bible College, Western Piedmont Bible and Teamer Bible College where he received his Doctorate in Religious Studies.  He was a member of Union Bethel AME Church, and a pastor in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty-two years.  Dr. Williams pastored several churches in both the Western and Eastern Districts, leaving a great legacy of preaching, teaching, and living a Godly life from the mountains of Morganton to the hills of Yanceyville.  His charges include St. Stephens-Mt. Gilead, Mars Hill (Hartland) Circuit, Flat Rock (Pearson Chapel) Circuit, Shiloh-Morganton, Clover Garden-Burlington, St. James-Winston-Salem, and Shiloh-Morganton.

Dr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Verna Mae and Willie B.W. Singletary; four brothers, Jesse, Derrick, Henry, and Alphonza; daughter, Gloria Jean; and a great-grandchild, Jermaine K. Marlin, Jr.

Rejoicing always in the Lord, he leaves to cherish and celebrate his life his wife, Reverend Lula McGill Williams; three daughters, Rev. Dr. Shirley W. Hines, Minister Virginia W. Turner (Bishop Claude), and Wanda W. Gary; four sons, Dr. H. James Williams (Carole), Deacon Larry S. Williams (Deacon Kathy), Anthony D. Williams (Patricia), and Dr. Dennis W. Bishop; thirteen grandchildren, Jermaine K. Marlin, Dr. Angela M. Hines, Pamela H. (John) Moss, Benjamin B. Hines, LaKisha Mauney, Shaune' LaRei Williams, Larry W. Williams, II, Michelle W. (Tory) McAlister, Garrett D. Williams, Justine Williams, Theodore Acker, Bre'Anna N. Williams, and Anthony James Williams; one God-grandchild, Brandi (Reggie) Jones; ten great-grandchildren, JaiLaiya' Pollard, Jada Dowd, Jhenesis N. Hines, Bryce Hart, Zoie A. Moss, Isabella Williams, Lyndsie C. Moss, Lauryn R. Gaddy, Eli James McAlister, and Casmere D. Williams; one great-great-grandchilld, Chace A. J. Marlin; sisters, Alberta W. Brown, Jannie W. Funderburk, Eliza W. Spates, Luvenia Williams, and Lillie W. Thornton; one brother, Jacob (Cynthia) Williams; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Friday, December 16, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Saturday, December 17, 2022 at St. James AME Church with Elder Conrad K. Pridgen presiding.  Entombment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. A family visitation will be held from 6:00pm until 7:00pm Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.