Gwendolyn Matthews Williams

God in His infinite wisdom and divine love dispatched an angel to the Laurels of Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 8:30a.m., Monday, February 12, 2018 to bring His beloved servant, Gwendolyn Francine Williams home with Him.
Gwendolyn Francine Williams was born on June 23, 1949 to the late Bishop F. J. and Mary Cox Matthews. She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Richard Williams, and brother, the late Frankie Matthews.
Because of her parents' spiritual ties to God, she felt the need to know this God for herself. She sought and found peace with God, and became a loyal and faithful member of Shiloh Christian Church "Disciples of Christ." She served her church faithfully as a Deaconess, President of Disciple Women Ministry, President of the Choir, Coordinator of the Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, served in the Finance Department and worked wherever she was needed. She was interested in religious and community activities, and gave her service willingly and tirelessly until her health declined.
She was graduated from Johnston Central High School, Class of 1967. She furthered her education at North Carolina Central University.
She worked at Employment Security Commission Office, Raleigh, North Carolina for over thirty years, where she served as Cashier Supervisor. In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and throughout her illness, she never complained, not even when she had to care for husband during his illness, until the Lord called him home. With a smile, Gwen continued like a true warrior doing what she had to do.
She leaves to cherish her memories and love: three adult children, Richard Jr. (Edna), Norma Jean, and Andrea Nicole, all from Raleigh, North Carolina; ten grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren; mother, Mary C. Matthews, Smithfield, NC; two sisters, Cynthia Mebane (Don) Fayetteville, NC, Pamela Spates (Bernard) Clinton, NC; two brothers, Kenneth Matthews (Deborah) Princeton, NC, and Edwin Matthews Smithfield, NC; uncles, aunts, nieces, cousins, and other family and friends.

"Don't"
Don't spend too much time in mourning,
Tears are for the sad
I left to be with Jesus
And this should make you glad
Don't waste your time in grieving,
No need to feel distress.
I am tired of life's frustrations
And had to get some rest.
Don't vex yourself with questions
Or try to reason why
Life for me has ended
It came my time to die.
Don't lose the love I gave you
Feed it with your care
Grow it with devotion
And spread it everywhere.
Don't fret because my leaving
Came in such a way
We will have another meeting
In God's eternal day.


"Heaven Needed Mom"
So many things of Mom I miss
Her gentle hug and tender kiss.
I still can feel her warm embrace.
And picture yet her loving face
A mothers' tasks are never done.
and Heaven must have needed one.
For angels came and took her hand
And led her to God's promised land.
She's surely kept quite busy then
While brushing little angels' hair.
And making sure they're dressed just right.
Not staying out too late at night.
Although there's sadness, this I know
She's waiting there, her face aglow
I close my eyes and I can see
Her arms still open wide for me.
From Norma Jean, Andrea, and Richard Jr.

Visitation
Friday, February 16
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Shiloh Christian Church
211 Durham St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Funeral Service
Friday, February 16
11:00 AM
Shiloh Christian Church
211 Durham St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Interment
Carolina Biblical Gardens
1530 Creech Rd,
Garner, NC 27529