On the evening of Sept. 27, God called Theresa J. Williams to come home. Mrs. Williams was the daughter of the late Oscar T. Jones and the late Rebie Ford Riddick. She was born June 28, 1926 in Norfolk County.

She was a graduate of West Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Penn. and Clark College in Atlanta, Geo. She did further study at Norfolk State College and Old Dominion University.

She was a member of East End Baptist Church where she taught Bible Class No. 2, a member of the Media Library Ministry, Women’s Missionary Union Circle #1, Church History Ministry and the Partners in Education Ministry. Mrs. Williams was also a member of the Suffolk Retired Teachers Association, Virginia Retired Association, Smart Set Club and the National Association of University Women.

Mrs. Williams’ love of teaching spanned many cities. She began her teaching career in South Carolina. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Suffolk School System which led to a position at Robertson Elementary School and later Driver Elementary School where she remained until her retirement in 1988.

She was married to the late Henderson Walter Williams Sr. She was the mother of Henderson W. Williams, Jr., Kenneth Chester N. Williams, Wayne O. Williams, Paula W. Woodruff, and Victor W. Williams (Lisa). Other survivors include one granddaughter, Davina Woodruff; one step-granddaughter, Tricey Colbert; one brother, William H. Ruffin; two step-brothers, Earnest Foster (Alice) and James Foster (Delia); one sister-in-law, Edith W. Ray; three nieces, Shirley B. Diggs (Leroy), Pennye Williams and Rev. Belva Boone; a nephew, Romie Williams, Jr.; two great nieces, Aletta Diggs-Berry (Dwayne) and Deborah Diggs; one great-grandniece, Aaliyah; special family friends, Lisa Geib-Boone, Clarence King, Vivian Phelps and Delois Williams; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 at East End Baptist Church by Dr. Mark A. Croston. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The body will be placed in church at 11:30 a.m. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.