Pastor Shirley Mae Moore Williams Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Shirley Mae Moore Williams moved through her epic life journey with an unparalleled depth of wisdom, wit, and warmth. She was a safe harbor of comfort, care and compassion to all those whose path she crossed. In her presence you were reassured, restored and revived through her generous smile, gentle embrace and gregarious conversation. Throughout her personal and professional experiences, she created life giving, trajectory changing, meaningful investments in the world that surrounded her. In the many roles that unfolded during her time with us, she was affectionately known as Baby, Granny, Momma Shirley, and Reverend Shirley. Shirley Williams was born in Holladay, Tennessee on Monday, September 6, 1937. She received her education and training from Benton County Schools, Decatur County Schools, Tennessee State University and Martin Methodist College. She was active in her community as an Alderman, Vice Mayor, Mayoral Candidate, Small Business Owner, Parent Teacher Association President, Planning Commission Chairperson, Rosenwald Community Organization President, Print / Television Ad model and member of Nashville’s own Love Train Gospel Choir. She was President of the family ministry “A Moore Excellent Way” to preserve the 149-year old Moore Family Century farm. Shirley Williams came from a long line of gifted African American women found in her mother, aunts, sisters, and cousins who taught her that faith, hope and trust in God and Jesus Christ would be her guide in life. While on her spiritual journey she served in many positions in the local church reaching Lay Leader and Annual Conference Delegate in Nashville and Bethel Springs, Tennessee. She has also served in numerous positions and committees of the District, Tennessee and Memphis Conferences becoming the first African American Dean of the School of Christian Mission of the Tennessee Conference. She was Assistant and Associate Pastor at Braden Memorial as well as Nancy Webb Kelly United Methodist Churches in Nashville, Tennessee. She recently served as Senior Pastor of New Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel Springs, Tennessee. During her tenure the church was blessed to build a new fellowship hall, birth thriving ministries such as the Seniors Exercise and Lunch Program, Youth Praise Band, Youth Praise Team, Youth Summer Camp, Food Pantry, Family Wednesday Night Meal and Bible Study. Shirley Williams is preceded in death by Father John Henry Moore, Mother Inez Parsons Moore. In-laws Barney Williams, Callie Matilda Baldridge Williams. Sisters Ida Belle Menzies, Pauline Murphy, Roberta Roland. Brother H.L Moore and Son Nathaniel T. Williams. Shirley Williams concluded her journey on Wednesday July 26, 2019 at 8:43 pm at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She leaves a cloud of beloved ones which include: Husband – Nathaniel E. Williams of Nashville, Tennessee. Sister – Marie Jones of Nashville, Tennessee. Brother – Thomas Moore of Nashville, Tennessee. Son – Douglas Williams of Nashville, Tennessee. Daughters – Darcus Williams of Nashville, Tennessee; Sheila Williams of Atlanta, Georgia; Cheryl Williams of Las Vegas, Nevada. Grandchildren – LeVardis Williams of Dallas, Texas; Lydia Williams of Nashville, Tennessee; Casie (Thomas) Campbell of Nashville, Tennessee; Markel Williams of Dallas, Texas. Great Grandchildren – Levi Alexander Eugene Williams; Paris Coleman; Aleccis Coleman; Eric Hall; Robert Estleman; Julian Williams; Jaylen Williams; Jaron Williams; Jailyn Stewart; Myka Winningham; Drevin Jordan, Teosha Boyd, Jai Lamont Burgess, Tykeon Markell Malik Simmons. She is also adored by a devoted clan of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. She dreamed of a world full of happy loving people where war was a thing of the past and peace was the only reality. May we each of us strive to manifest her divine vision in all that we say and do.

Pastor Shirley Mae Moore Williams

September 6, 1937 - June 27, 2019