David Lee Williams

The funeral services celebrating the life and legacy of Deacon David Lee Williams, Sr., well-known businessman, and retired deputy sheriff will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the Morehouse Baptist Educational Association Building at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Eric Williams will deliver the eulogy and Rev. Ronnie Traylor will be the officiant. The interment will follow the services in H. V. Adams cemetery. Deacon Williams will “Lie In State” from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the New Jerusalem #2 Missionary on Friday evening, October 1, 2021. To send flowers, plants, words of encouragement, or light a candle, please go to www.lochesmortuaryinc.com

Due to dangers associated with Covid 19 and the deadly Delta variant, MASKS ARE REQUIRED at both the funeral service and the “Lying in State” visitation. Visitors are asked to limit their time at the visitation to a few minutes so that others may pay their respects. Social Distancing is encouraged. Out of respect for the family, visitors are asked to follow the directions of the ushers in charge.

“DEACON, BUSINESSMAN, CITIZEN, FRIEND”

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2Timothy 4:7-8

Sunday, August 23, 1942,  dawned as a normal hot day in the small community of Portland, Arkansas. Nestled in the southeast corner of Ashley County, many of the residents prepared for Sunday services. But for Mack Arthur and Neacie Kazee Williams, this fourth Sunday would always hold a special meaning. It was on this day that their firstborn son of twelve children made his advent into the world. He was given the name David Lee Williams. On yet another Sunday, some seventy-nine years later, David Lee Williams crossed the chasm between his earthly home and his Heavenly home and joined the loved ones who had gone before him. Preceding him in death were his parents Mack Arthur and Neacie Williams, father, and mother-in-law Sam and Sallie Duncan Whitfield, Mackie, two brothers-in-law Sam E. Whitfield, Jr., Ledell Whitfield, Sr., and one sister-in-law Donna W. White

“Dave” as he was affectionately called by family and friends, accepted Christ at an early age at the St. Peter Baptist Church in Thebus, Arkansas. He was educated in the public schools of Portland.

On June 15, 1974, David Lee Williams was joined in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Alice Whitfield of St. Francisville, Louisiana. God, in His infinite wisdom, blessed this union with five children: Eric, Perry, David, Jr., Shawanda, and Christopher.

David and his family relocated to Bastrop, Louisiana. His reverence for God and his belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ led him to the New Jerusalem #2 Missionary Baptist Church. He faithfully served as a deacon under his spiritual leader, Rev. Norselles Holmes III. When God called Rev. Holmes home, New Jerusalem was blessed with another Warrior for Christ, Rev. Ronnie Traylor.  Rev. Traylor and Deacon Williams became fast friends, sharing the word of God with members of the New Jerusalem #2 flock and many others.

Dave was always gainfully employed. He served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Department and obtained certification while attending classes in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In 1997 David and Alice (who was employed by the Morehouse Parish School System at the time) stepped out on faith and decided to share his renowned barbecue with the residents of Morehouse Parish. His delectable, mouth-watering ribs quickly gained notoriety, and customers would travel from surrounding parishes to Bodacious Barbecue for their ribs, chicken, beef, and all the delicious trimmings. To honor his late father, Dave eventually changed the name to Daddy Mack's Barbecue in 2009.

God blessed Dave with a beautiful singing voice and he used it to bring spirit-filled gospel singing and praise to residents near and far. He sang with the Gospel Echoes and the Gospel Soul Brothers prior to moving to Bastrop. Once in Bastrop, he joined the Traveling Tornadoes, a dynamic and extremely popular gospel group.

On Sunday morning, September 26, 2021, in his home, with members of his beloved family near, Dave quietly, as was his nature, slipped away to be at rest. He leaves to miss his smile, his kindness, his wise counsel, and his melodious voice: his devoted wife of forty-seven years, Alice Whitfield Williams; five grateful children: Eric Williams (Angela), Perry Williams. David Williams, Jr. (Brittany), Shawanda Slater (Willie), and Christopher Williams; seventeen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one brother Verner Thompson (Mary); two sisters, Henriette Terrell, and Rosa Allen, three brothers-in-law James Whitfield (Marie), Herbert Whitfield (Helen), Nathaniel Whitfield (Ethelene), two sisters-in-law Earline W. Osaya (Andrew) and Cheryl A. Whitfield, four god-children Rhonda L. White, Mecca McKee, and Donovan Peoples.

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"Miss Me"

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little”But not too long"
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me” But let me go."
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss Me” But Let me Go!"

Edgar A Guest

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