Jercile Artel Black Williams

Mrs. Jercile Artel Black Williams was born to the late Jakie Bernard Black, Sr. and Velma Simington Black in Clarksville, Texas, where she began her educational journey. She graduated from Clarksville High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from Bishop College, where she pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Amid WWII, women’s suffrage and inequality, Williams pressed onward to Prairie View A&M University, receiving her Master of Education. She worked as an educator, supervisor and administrator in Greensville, Clarksville, and Dallas, Texas where she spent most of her career. She belonged to a vast number of professional organizations and received many accolades and awards for her outstanding leadership as a phenomenal educator who was determined to make a difference in the lives of her students.

Mrs. Williams was married to Joseph Williams, who preceded her in death. She loved her family dearly and kept in contact with all that she could to share her wisdom. Although she did not have children, she loved and cared for her now deceased niece, Sheronda Craig, as if she were her own child.

Mrs. Williams genuinely loved the Lord and was a member of Warren United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX, where she served years as a faithful Sunday school teacher until her health declined. After moving to the Beaumont, TX area, she was under the loving watch-care of St. Paul United Methodist Church, in Port Arthur, TX, where the pastor, Rev. James Berry would make frequent visits to the Assisted Living facility where she resided until the pandemic.

She enjoyed dominos, completing word searches, listening to music, and visiting with her friends and family. The siblings of Mrs. Williams, now all deceased, were Clovis Black, Sr., Rev. Dr. Jakie Black, Jr., Thelma Black, James Black, Sr. and Rev. Kelley Black. She leaves to cherish her memories her nieces and nephews including Cynthia Black, Gladys Black-Stone, Gregory Johnson, Jacqueline Black-Hatcher, Lolita Black-Mancha, Anthony Ijah Umi, Margaret Black-Dorsey, Lisa Black-Lee, Cheryl Black-Fitzpatrick, Diane Black, Kurt Black, James Black Jr., Valarie Black Daniels, Dr. LaWanda Black Finney and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Williams will be greatly missed as she was the matriarch of the family who kept everyone connected through her outreach and genuine concern. We will always remember and be inspired by her attention to details in her business as well as her healthy lifestyle which she would challenge her loved ones to do a better job in taking care of themselves. As a lifetime member of Weight Watchers (WW), she frequently reminded family that “In order to help take care of others, you must take care of yourself!”

Lastly, as mentioned prior, we know that her life was dependent on the Lord. She often contacted and enjoyed reaching out to Silent Unity, a Partner in Prayer and a Spiritual Life Center, for requested prayer. She copied many scriptures and prayers and left them around her home as well as in her books and Bibles. She wrote notes such as, “Read Psalm 103 often!” and “Read Habakkuk 3:16-19!” She left short prayers such as, “O God, help me to remember that you are always near to me. Give me a spirit of faith, power and love and not a spirit of fear. Amen!”

To God be the Glory for the life lived and shared by Mrs. Jercile Artel Black Williams who was a recipient of Psalm 91:16, “With long life I will satisfy him and let him see my salvation.”