Betty Williams

Betty Brasfield Williams was called to her heavenly home on December 25, 2025. Born on January 28, 1940, to the late William Floyd and Corinne Brasfield, Betty entered the world in her parents' family home and later graduated from Smithville High School. In 1957, she married her beloved husband, Jack T. Williams, and they shared 59 cherished years of marriage until his passing in 2016.

With the exception of two brief residences in Tennessee, Betty spent her entire life in and around Monroe County, primarily in the Parham community, Smithville, and Hatley.

A gifted seamstress, Betty worked at various garment factories in Amory and Hatley. After raising her children, she spent her later career years at Star Printing.

It would be difficult to find a more caring, giving, and loving soul than Betty Williams. Affectionately known throughout the region as Mrs. Betty, Betty B, or My Betty, she touched countless lives in ways that are truly incalculable. Her daughter Crissie captured her essence perfectly: “God made her without a mold. He took the best parts and placed her on this Earth,” and she left an indelible mark upon it. Always serving others while shunning the spotlight, Betty embodied the ultimate giver of unconditional love. Beyond her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her greatest joy came from helping others—especially children and the elderly, whom she fondly called “her people.”

Through her church, Betty founded “The Prayer Warriors” and “Sassy Survivors” taking special care to ensure that children, the elderly, widows, and widowers remained embraced by the extended church family and community. She held a particularly tender place in her heart for all children, and the hearts and minds of the children she influenced are immeasurable.

Time spent with her siblings was precious to Betty, and she eagerly anticipated their monthly “Sister Day” gatherings. From breakfast or brunch at the Country Kitchen to afternoon dessert and fellowship at Betty's house, the sisters shared countless stories, laughed together, and simply reveled in each other's company.

Her renowned cooking skills shone brightest in times of need, as she was often the first to arrive with a comforting meal during hardship, illness, or bereavement. Over the years, she made cakes and jellies by the thousands, generously sharing them with people far and wide—from neighbors in her local community to friends and strangers around the globe. An avid supporter of the military, Betty frequently sent care packages brimming with her homemade goodies to her son, her grandsons, and other service members deployed overseas. In her own humble words, she was simply “taking care of those babies.”

A longtime member of Hatley Missionary Baptist Church, alongside her husband Jack, Betty faithfully followed the Lord, openly professed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior, and lived a life rooted in the promise of eternal salvation. She was most known for her profound love of the Lord—a legacy that stands as the most cherished remembrance we could all aspire to.

Betty's absence is deeply felt by her family and the countless lives she enriched, yet her loving presence will endure forever in our hearts.

She is survived by her three children: Allen Williams (Debbie), Crissie Cirelli (Dean), and Richard Williams (Kristin); nine grandchildren: Jeffery Williams (Kim), Travis Williams (Alice), Leah Doyle (Adam), Tanner Williams (Megan), Linnea Williams, Kayley Giberson (Ryan), Wayne Pennington, Wade Pennington, and Brandie McDonald; and eleven great-grandchildren: Jon Isaac Williams, Emma Williams, Reese Doyle, Ava Claire Doyle, Bella Vinson, Edelia Giberson - and according to My Betty, Riley Adams - Roxie Ergle, Nathan McDonald, Balin Pennington, Skye Pennington, and Brea Pennington.

In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her siblings Rubel Brasfield, June Fears, and Joe Brasfield.

Funeral Services will be held at 3 PM on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Hatley Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Aaron Parish and Bro. Lloyd Sweatt officiating. Burial will follow in Hatley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Williams, Travis Williams, Tanner Williams, Jon Isaac Williams, Glen Adams and Adam Doyle.

Visitation will be prior to the service on Monday at Hatley Missionary Baptist Church from 1 PM until 3 PM.

Donations may be given to the Jack and Betty Williams Prayer Warrior Fund C/O Mid Atlantic Community Church 2485 Davidsonville Rd Gambrills, MD 21054, St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home PO Box 4196 Monroe, LA 71211.