Espert Mae Myrick Williams, age 82, of Suffolk, Va., was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Nansemond Point Rehabilitation Center, Suffolk, Va., after a long and arduous battle with heart disease.

She was born on Sept. 9, 1929, in Como, N.C., to Maxwell and Onie Mae Parham Myrick. In July of 1957, she married Herman “Buddy” Williams Jr., remaining with him for more than 54 years until his death exactly six weeks prior to hers. They produced from their union her only child: Colonel (retired) Herman “Tracy” Williams III.

In addition to her son, she is survived by her daughter in-law, Melba Alexa Martin Williams, Esq.; a grandson Herman “Alex” Williams IV; a granddaughter, Traci Alexa Williams, sisters-in-law Barbara Harris, of Courtland, Mary Porter, of Portsmouth, Eunice Wilson, of Suffolk; his brothers-in-law, Wilbert Williams Sr., of Courtland, and Milton Williams Sr. (Goldie), of Suffolk; a godson, the Rev. Clarence “Clancy“ West Jr., and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She accepted Christ as a young girl, was baptized and became a member of Mill Neck Baptist Church. After moving to Suffolk in 1959, she joined East End Baptist Church, where she served in various positions including deaconess, Sunday School teacher, leader of women’s ministries, and various other church groups and committees. One of her greatest joys was mentoring the young ladies of Girls in Action. She was recognized in 2006, as a Deacon Emeritus after completing 42 years of service.

She loved serving others after nursing in hospitals for more than 30 years, she taught nursing skills at the Pruden Vocational and Technical Center and assisted managing local home health care services. She graduated from the Richmond Professional Institute and Medical College of Virginia’s nursing program in 1949. She immediately began her nursing career in Franklin and Raiford Hospital and later at the Southampton Memorial Hospital in obstetrics. In 1965, she began nursing at the Portsmouth General Hospital, where she remained until retiring from uniformed nursing in 1976. Like her husband, Espert was an avid reader. She loved watching sports, playing piano and listening to music. Her favorite pastimes were entertaining her grandchildren: Alex and Alexa, and traveling around the world to visit her son’s family at duty locations across the United States, South Korea and Europe.

Memorial services for Espert Williams are planned for Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the East End Baptist Church, 523 E. Washington St., Suffolk, Va. Engram Funeral Home, Franklin, Va., is rendering the mortuary services. The processional will begin at the church on Thursday. The family will receive visitors at the family home on Tuesday, April 17.