Betty Joe Williams

Mrs. Betty Joe Stoney-Williams of Tampa passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020.  Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue with Reverend Trenton E. Lewis officiating.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Please follow the CDC guidelines. Please visit www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com  approximately 15 minutes prior to service time for the opportunity to view service via Live Streaming.    

Mrs. Stoney-Williams was born 83 years ago to the union of William (Will) Stoney and Pearl Summers-Stoney.  A native Tampanian, Betty experienced her Christian conversion at an early age under the ministry of St. John M. B. Church.  At the time of her death she was a member of the Paradise M. B. Church where her husband, Reverend Frank Williams served as Pastor.

Betty attended Hillsborough County’s Public Schools.   She was employed for more than 20 years as a Cafeteria Team member in the Hillsborough County Public School System until her retirement circa 1999.  She treasured her ability to assist in ensuring, year after year, thousands of children received nutritious meals to enhance their mental and physical growth. 

Mrs. Stoney-Williams was the First Lady and an ardent supporter of the ministry work at Paradise Missionary Baptist.   On June 30, 2020 she gained her wings after death brought healing to her body. 

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Will and Pearl Stoney; five sisters, Lonesta Stoney, Catherine (Fat) Randolph, Rosa Lee Waterman, Lula Mae Stoney, and Pearlie Mae Stoney-Barnes; two sons, Gregory Adolphus Lewis and Vander Bernardo Williams; one daughter, Vandella Nicole Williams-Johnson; and two grandsons, Nicholas Camacho, and Gregory Lewis. 

An avid reader, Betty enjoyed her church work and accompanying her activist husband in his social justice work.  She loved flower gardening, traveling, being a fashion trend-setter, receiving expressions of love from her family, giving to anyone in need, and spending time with her family. 

Mrs. Stoney-Williams’ legacy of helping those in need is now left to her husband the Rev. Frank Williams.  Their 60 years of marriage is a testament to the resilience of love.  Her legacy of wise counsel is left to her children to pass on to their children and others.  Her loving and supportive family will miss her earthly presence as they celebrate her eternal presence with the Lord. 

A mother of 10, Betty leaves behind seven loving and devoted children:  four sons, Gary R. (Diane) Valdez of Tampa, FL, Trenton E. (Loretta) Lewis of Columbia, SC, Shawn R. (Shirley) Williams of Hephzibah, GA, and Frank L. (Aundrekia) Williams of Tampa, FL; three daughters, Cannella A. (Eric) Jefferies of Tallahassee, FL, Tanakia L. (John) Jenkins of Kathleen, GA, and Treemonisha S. Williams of Tampa, FL; a sole surviving sister, Willie Mae Stoney-Lacey of Tampa, FL; 17 grandsons, Shawn R. Williams of Hephzibah, GA, Cory Jones of Tampa, FL, Trenton E. Lewis, II, Andric K. Lewis, and Micah E. Lewis, all of Columbia, SC, John Jenkins, Jr., of Tampa, FL, Jon’shea Jenkins of Kathleen, GA, Edil Camacho, Jr. of Knoxville, TN, Fernando Lewis Morales Valentin of Long Beach, CA, Joshua Valdez, Geralaldito Valdez, Demeco L. Williams and DeAudrick L. Williams all of Tampa, FL, Lakhai C. Johnson, L. C. Johnson, II, and Edward Desmore, of Ruskin, FL, and Malik A. Jefferies of Tallahassee, FL; 15 granddaughters,  Lameka T. Lewis of Tampa, FL, Renilia L. (Lawrence) Johnson of Greensboro, NC, Romekia V. Brewer of Tallahassee, FL, Gregorah C. Lewis of Tampa, FL,  Antoinette J. Mutcherson of Atlanta, GA, Ebony C. Williams of Tallahassee, FL, Lexie Mutcherson, of Atlanta, GA, Charsie (Quinte) Johnson of Tallahassee, FL, La’Dreauna C. Johnson of Atlanta, GA, Shanice L. Williams, of Hephzibah, GA, Damaris (Manuel) Medina of Valrico, FL, Shemeka C. Williams of Hephzibah, GA, Malaika S. Jefferies of Tallahassee, FL, Sarah Williams of Apollo Beach, FL, and Qysen Desmore of Ruskin, FL; as well as a host of other grieving relatives and friends. 

The Visitation will be held Friday, July 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home.  We are asking family and friends to follow the CDC guidelines. 

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