Deacon Louis Langhorne Williams, Sr.

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Deacon Louis Langhorne Williams, Sr. of Portsmouth, VA, passed away at the age of 84 years. He was born to parents, Deacon George Ledrue Williams and Bertha Mae Hooker, on September 13, 1939, in Craven County, North Carolina. Louis accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and became a member of Piney Grove F.W.B. Church in Craven County, North Carolina. Louis, also affectionately known as “Bobby” to family and friends, matriculated through the Craven County school system and graduated from Newbold High School in 1957. Following high school, Louis enlisted in the United States Army, where he faithfully served his country for eight years and earned the ranking Seargeant E-5. While in the armed forces, Louis earned the following: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Medal (M-14), Good Conduct Medal, and Drivers Badge. Upon his return from Vietnam, Louis served as a police officer with the Portsmouth City Police Department. Louis earned an AC/Refrigeration certification from Tidewater Community College and later retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 25 years as a welder. Louis met his beautiful wife, the late Mary M. Swimpson Williams at a revival service in 1958 after hearing her sing as one of the Swimpson Gospel Singers. They were married on December 10, 1958 in Portsmouth, Virginia, and together, shared 61 years of marriage. From their union, they raised six children: Sheryl, Louis, Jr., Steven, Mark, Reginald, and Vincent. Louis enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, and fishing. He could often be found in his workshop with his tools fixing anything. He was well known for his signature North Carolina-style barbeque, which his family loved to refer to as “Bobby’s Que.” Louis later became a member of Union Baptist Missionary Church in Suffolk, Virginia, where he was ordained as a deacon and later served as co-chairman. Deacon Williams faithfully supported the church in his giving and his service until his health failed. He was also faithfully served as a member of the Men’s Ministry, the Male Chorus, Senior Choir, the Wilbert Wells Memorial Choir, the Evangelistic Outreach Ministry, a graduate of the One Year Through the Bible Class and provided groundskeeping and physical plant services. Louis is preceded in death by his wife, Mary M. Williams, his parents, Bertha and George Williams, and his siblings—George “Pete” Williams, Jean Dawson, and Juliet Sherrod. He is survived by his only daughter, Sheryl Sykes (Rudy), and five sons, Louis, Jr. (Vicki), Steven (Dena), Mark (Angela), Reginald (Dr. Patricia), and Vincent (Wendy). Grandchildren, Shanique, Chantel, Tiffany Lewis (Jonathan), Sha’De Smith(Tyrone), Camari, Brittnie Blackwell(Robert III), Darrius (Tiffany), ReShada, Justina Lee (Dr. Harold), Ashley, Daniel, Rubi Cousins (Rashad), Samuel, Mark Jr., Vincent Jr., Reginald Jr., ReNaya, Greg, Daryl and Kim; great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Jr., Mya, Almina, Elle, Olivia, Gabriel, Tamia, Tiana, Jurnee, Robert IV, Rio, Malik, Autumn-Rai, Asaish, Kash and Dior, Chloe, Rashad Jr., Nahla, Jody, Nathan, Elijah and Isaiah. Louis is survived by his beloved sister, Margaret Williams Hassell; brother-in-law Willie Sherrod; and two sisters-in-law, Delores Fagan and Elsie Rae Brown. Also, to honor his memory is a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and friends including a very dear son-like neighbor, LeRoy Lashly (Cleadus); his friend of over 60 years, Robert Williams, and his neighbor of over 50 years, and dear family friend, Margie Bowen. The family will welcome visitors Monday, September 9, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at J. T. Fisher Funeral Services, 1248 North George Washington Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23323. The homegoing celebration will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Union Baptist Missionary Church, 5414 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk, VA 23425.

Deacon Louis Langhorne Williams, Sr.

September 13, 1939 - August 31, 2024