Bessie Lee Williams

Bessie Lee Williams was born June 2nd , 1942, to Roland and

Beatrice Robinson in Bladenboro, North Carolina. The youngest of

five siblings. She would complete her education at Spalding Monroe

High School and relocate to New York City with her friend and

sister-in-law Shirley Robinson. Shirley and Bessie settled in Jamaica,

Queens after finding work. It would also be here that Bessie would

meet Frank Williams. It was said that when he saw her, he told her

he would marry her, and that he did. The couple moved to

Queensbridge Houses where they raised their daughters Simone

and Evelyn. The couple were married for over fifty years until his

recent death.

Bessie went on to join People’s United Methodist Church and served

as an usher and member of the willing workers ministry. She had a

cherished and wonderful friendship with Blondie and Daniel

Sidberry, members of People’s UMC and former co-workers. She

worked for Mattel company for a few years after the children were

older but would go on to work for Eagle Electric Company for over

twenty-five years until the company closed and relocated.

Bessie loved cooking, laughing, and spending time with her sister

Geraldine and sister-in-law Shirley. She loved watching basketball,

claiming to have been on the girls’ high school basketball team and

scoring the winning shot in a game. She loved the movies, theater,

and dancing. Whenever she could get on the dance floor, she would

do so learning the latest dance steps.

On Monday July 17th , 2023, Bessie was called to come to the Lord

and help usher others in. She is preceded in death by her parents

Roland and Beatrice Robinson, husband Frank Williams, brother

Joseph (Joe) Robinson, sister-in-law (Alice), sister Geraldine Clark

(Donald) brother-in-law Harvey Paul Singletary and brother Ernest

Robinson. She is survived by sister Martha Singletary, daughters

Simone and Evelyn, son-in-law Willie Haynes, Grandsons Jamel and

Marcus, great grandchildren Jahmal and Aahniyah, sister-in-law

Shirley Robinson, Blondie and Daniel Sidberry long time family

friends, as well as a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

A visitation for Bessie will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Peoples United Methodist, 14-54 31st Rd, Astoria, NY 11106.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tmquinnandsons.com for the Williams family.