Jerome "Jay" L. Williams, Jr. came into the world on December 7, 1966 and on January 22, 2021 he received The Call for an appointment that would reunite him with his late parents, Jerome, Sr. and Dolores Gary Williams.

Jerome was born in Topeka, Kansas and spent all of his formative years there, graduating from high school, making life-long friends, and beginning his spiritual journey. In pursuit of his next life steps, he moved to Winston-Salem, NC and lived with his aunt, Dr. Deborea Winfrey Jones, until he got established. Her favorite stories and memories from that time generally include Jerome in a conversation with someone, turning to her to ask her to translate whatever was being said as he swore they were speaking a foreign language. He quickly acclimated and was soon calling Winston-Salem home and encouraging friends and family from Kansas to join him.

Jerome, who often referred to himself as a life-long student and learner, earned an AA in Business Management from Forsyth Technical Community College and was one semester short of earning his BS in Business Administration from High Point College.

He was the ultimate entrepreneur and innovator. Several friends shared that he helped them to start their own businesses and was always willing and available to assist them in any way. Jerome was driven by a desire to serve the Lord, enrich his community and enhance his relationships with fellow mankind, friends and strangers alike.

While he had many accomplishments in life, his most revered and valued achievements are his two daughters, Jordan and Chelsea and his two grandchildren, Jaedon and Kendal.

Jerome will be greatly missed by his daughters, Jordan Leigh Williams of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Chelsea Kapesea Williams of Nashville, Tennesee; his grandchildren, Jaedon and Kendal Williams of Fredericksburg, Virginia; his estranged wife, Laura Dann of Kernersville, NC; his sisters Alyce M. Williams of Houston Texas, Susan J. Jones (Roger) of Kansas City, Kansas and Rev. Shavonne (George) Holmes of Topeka, Kansas; his brother, J. Lamont Williams of Topeka, Kansas; his special friend, Beverly Wiggins of Winston-Salem, NC; his "favorite" cousin, Paya S. (Jermaine) Williams of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his aunts, Deborea W. (Hubert R.) Jones of Harrington, Delaware, Shirley Brady of Warren, Ohio, Amber Gary of Warren, Ohio and Jacqueline Gary of Warren Ohio; uncle, Frederick (Patricia) Gary of Warren, Ohio; nieces, Sophia Lopez, Mariah Givens, Delorianne Williams, Shanell Williams, Adrienne "AJ" Jones, and Natley Williams; nephews, Sheldon Williams and Alyias Logan; a great-nephew, Jalen Williams; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The best way to sum up his life and his legacy:

One man gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper;                                      he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Agape Faith Church.