Barbara Anne Williams

Barbara Anne Williams was born to Roscoe and Lucille Graham on April 19th, 1945, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Being the youngest of five children she was raised to value the importance of family and community. Reared in the Perth Amboy public school system, Barbara excelled in her courses and had a natural talent for sewing (designing her prom dress), cooking, typing, and narrative writing. In High School she was an active member of her class socially, joining a multiplicity of clubs and programs, and later meeting the love of her life John Williams. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School in the spring of 1963, she enrolled in community college pursuing a career in accounting and finance. Later that year Barbara and John united in holy matrimony on December 21st.

After furthering her education, Barbara became employed by the City of Perth Amboy as an integral associate within the Office of Community Development. During her role as Principal Account Clerk, she assisted the community with obtaining loans and grants focused on home improvement. Upon promotion, she then took on the responsibility of Senior Loan Advisor. Due to an extensive record of reliability and efficiency, Barbara sat as Interim Director of the Community Development Corporation. 

In 2007, Barbara officially retired after over two decades of dedicated service to the Perth Amboy community. Barbara’s retirement years involved frequent traveling domestically and internationally, gardening, handing out toothbrushes and candies on Halloween, hosting Christmas dinner, midday naps, and walking the local flea markets every Tuesday and Saturday faithfully. She loved talking to her sister Mary Frances, as well as her nieces and nephews, and visiting her daughter Melanie in North Carolina. Barbara loved to laugh, especially with her nephew Carl, bond over their love of Wise potato chips with her best friend Geri, and retell stories of her favorite memories. 

Barbara’s commitment to serve was a reflection of her love for God. At a young age, her family joined Second Baptist Church located on Gordon Street where she dedicated her life to Christ. Later moving to Broad Street, she became a member of the usher board and decorating committee. Since then, the Historic Second Baptist Church, currently recognized as The Cathedral International has been a constant place of refuge and fellowship for Barbara. Throughout her lifetime she enjoyed volunteering at Joy in the City, calling in for morning prayer, stopping by at Bible study, and joining the Senior Ministry.  

Barbara’s love for her family was endless, fulfilling the capacities of wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher, and confidant. She was our biggest cheerleader, in academic enrichment and athletic endeavors. Our doctor whose favorite prescription was homemade chicken noodle soup, and our favorite Kwanzaa cake baker. No matter the time of day or night, Barbara constantly provided a listening ear, and shoulder to lean on. Her legacy of love lives on in all of us. 

Barbara departed from this life on September 3rd, 2024. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years John Williams, two children Brian & Melanie Williams, brothers John and Arthur Graham, and sisters Eva Mae Graham and Mary Frances Brighton. 

Barbara leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Jasmine Williams of Perth Amboy, NJ one granddaughter, Brianna Williams of Perth Amboy, NJ, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.