Barbara Jean Williams

Barbara Jean Williams, 89, of Weaverville, NC passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

She was born in Sanford, NC to Norwood Wilson Nipper and Frances Tapp Nipper, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, James C. Williams, her two daughters, Donna Dixon and Dawn Roberts, along with her son-in law, Mark Roberts, and step-son, John Williams and his wife, Katie Williams. She has immensely enjoyed being with her four grandchildren, Harry Hickman with his partner, Caroline Hummer and children, Jackie, Otto, Irie, Arya, McKenzie Roberts, Aidan Roberts and Parker Williams.

Barbara experienced and accomplished much during her 89 years. She never met a stranger, which sounds cliché, but it is a fact. She was warm, welcoming and able to strike up a conversation with a person that she barely knew. She worked in a variety of professions, mostly dealing with sales and helping others. She spent a season as a shoe sales associate in a department store. Later, she was employed by The Charlotte Observer newspaper, in sales. She became a dental assistant in Charlotte and in Charleston for a General Dentistry office. In the 1980’s she excelled in cosmetics, retailing Avon. She began as a salesperson and drove all over Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, SC, to meet her clients’ needs. Her ambition and tenacity lead her to being a District Manager. She was an impeccable housekeeper and organizer.

She was involved in church, Sunrise Presbyterian Church and Beverly Hills Baptist Church. While at Sunrise, Barbara and her husband, Roy Wilson, led the high school youth group, which was held at their house every Sunday night. They were great mentors to these students, she often prepared fried chicken or a big pot of spaghetti to fill their stomachs as she offered a listening ear to each young person in the group. She was active in the choir, Women of the Church and was the pitcher or first baseman for the softball team for Sunrise. She was a member of the Beverly Hills Choir, Sunday school, organized and led the Young at Heart, worked on the Floral Committee, and participated in Vacation Bible School with younger children and music. She felt very honored to be a deacon at Beverly Hills. She loved people and exemplified “God is love”, by being hands and feet to those in church, the community, workplace and with her family and friends.

Barbara loved the beach and the mountains. She was a resident on the Isle of Palms for 23 years, leaving after the destruction of Hurricane Hugo. She lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains for 27 years, residing in Weaverville, NC. She painted both landscapes and shared her artwork with many people. She was in a bowling league, liked to fish and enjoyed her friendships with special people like MaryLynn West, Sue Harris, Stewart, Michele, Sandra and Capers Poulnot. She was competitive in drag racing! Her first husband, Connie Dixon and her daughter, Donna were witnesses to her victories on the track. Barbara learned how to cook from her mother, and her meals were delicious.

There really wasn’t much she couldn’t accomplish when she set her mind to complete a task. The family was paramount for Barbara. She took excellent care of her parents, her mates, daughters, sons in law, grandchildren and pets. She loved Christmas more than most, and bought gifts all year round. She couldn’t wait until Christmas morning to watch the unwrapping of the presents. She was a true giver of herself, through working at church, watching the grandkids or shopping with her two daughters.

In the last five years, Barbara has contended with illness from various areas, the biggest being with her mind. Alzheimer’s provided many challenges to disrupt her way of life. Extreme gratitude has been felt by her family for the incredible care given to her by Mission Hospital, The Greens at Weaverville, and the Laurels at Green Tree Ridge. Each person that provided help to Barbara is to be commended for how well they loved her and cheered her on, during great challenges. I also wanted to thank Donna Dixon for living with mom and Jim for seven months. She provided Barbara with excellent care, love and they recited the Lord’s Prayer every day. I want to thank her husband, Jim, for being the best advocate for her in the hospital and the rehab facilities. He spoke up for her when she struggled to communicate. He rarely slept at home unless I strongly urged him to, and I took his place.

The final news is the best; she is in Heaven! She is fully restored and enjoying life to the full. Reunited with those who have gone before her. In this place of Glory, illness will never limit her, control her or bother her again. She is with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. She is walking, running or drag racing, having the time of her life. When I focus on this aspect of her life, I can’t help but have joy. I have moments of sadness when I miss her terribly, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see her again and it will be glorious. Praying that we will all enjoy it together. So be it. Amen

A Celebration of Life has been planned for 2:00 p.m. on August 16, 2025, at Beverly Hills Baptist Church with Reverend Tim Lolley officiating. The family will receive family and friends beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Barbara loved flowers, she enjoyed their beauty and worked many years in the dirt, to cultivate lovely grounds that made her home so special. Flowers or donations to Beverly Hills Baptist Church would be graciously received.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.