Lorice R. Williams

Lorice R. Williams, beloved Sister, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother, peacefully made her Heavenly journey on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the age of 89.

Lorice transitioned quietly into Glory, answering the call of the Lord who welcomed His faithful daughter home. Her life stood as a living testimony of grace, resilience, faith, courage, unshakable love, and unwavering devotion to God and family.

She was born on December 20, 1936, in Williamson, West Virginia, to the late John B. and Myrtle V. Shaw. Raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Lorice accepted Christ at a youthful age and was baptized early in life. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she began a lifelong walk with Christ, her faith firmly rooted and grounded in love, as God had commanded.

At the age of nine, Lorice experienced the loss of her hearing; an unexpected turning point that would shape her into a determined trailblazer. At fifteen, she attended the West Virginia School for the Colored Deaf and Blind, later continuing her education at the Ohio School for the Deaf. Although she was eventually withdrawn from OSD because her clear speech led some to question her deafness, Lorice remained undeterred. She surrounded herself with fellow deaf peers who helped her expand her knowledge of sign language beyond the classroom, developing true fluency. These bonds endured throughout her life, as she frequently opened her home to host dinners for deaf friends and family. Lorice remained actively engaged in the deaf community for decades.

On February 14, 1960, Lorice united in holy matrimony with her beloved husband, Eugene A. Williams. Together, they built a God-centered home filled with love, discipline, and purpose. Their 59-year union was richly blessed and produced six children, who became her greatest joy.

A true pioneer in the Deaf Community, Lorice obtained her State Tested Nursing Assistance Certification from Columbus Public Schools in 1976 and became the first Deaf STNA AT Echo, Woodland Manor, Isabelle Ridgeway, and Columbus Colony Elderly Care for the Deaf. She labored faithfully at both Isabelle Ridgeway and Columbus Colony for 25 years. After leaving Isabelle Ridgeway, her dedicated service at Columbus Colony continued for a total of an extraordinary 41 years. Her compassion, advocacy, and deep respect for Deaf Elderly made her a cherished presence and a lasting part of Columbus Colony’s history.

Being a caregiver at heart, it was not merely something she did, it was part of her very being. As a teenager, she cared for her nephews while her sister worked. Throughout her life she lovingly helped raise nieces, nephews, cousins, and the children of close friends.

While working two jobs, she faithfully cared for her husband during his illness and supported her adolescent and teenage children. During this same season—though at separate times—she also cared for her father, brother, mother, and granddaughter who required special support.

Her hands were always working, her heart always giving, and her spirit always serving.

Lorice was a faithful member of Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ, where she served and worshiped alongside her husband under the leadership of the late Bishop Spencer, the late Pastor Kenneth L. Bligen, and Pastor Bradford Berry. In her later years, she was appointed Church Mother at Jesus People’s Evangelist Center, pastored by her son, Alan E. Williams, where her quiet strength blessed many.

Lorice was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene A. Williams; daughters Kimberly J. Williams and Caroline G. Williams; granddaughter LaKisha Williams; grandsons Shermaine Williams and David Mitchell Jr.; brothers Ellis Shaw, John B. Shaw Jr., and David Shaw; and sisters Eunice Royster, Evelyn Moore, Hattie Shaw, and Doris Kelsor.

She leaves to cherish her memory her Son, Pastor Alan Eugene (Delores) Williams; Adopted son Jerome Royster; Daughters Sharon (Steve) Hariston, Trudi (Timothy) Crawley, and Reva (Ricardo) McHardy; Sister Helen Griffith; Grand-children Arliss Williams, Kamika Oyelana, Shawn Council, Nathaniel Williams, Jermell Williams Sr., Lamonte Williams, Keyle Williams, Lorisha Adams, Adrian Calloway-Scott, Elmitras Williams, Mario Williams, Antonio Williams, Ivan Shelton, Talina Crawley, Sherika Royster, Leondra Williams, LeKeyta Williams, Shamar Williams, and Talia Crawley; along with a host of loving great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family members, and dear friends.

Lorice’s life was a tapestry woven with faith, sacrifice, courage, and unconditional love. She broke barriers, nurtured generations, and served God with her whole heart. Her legacy will continue to shine through every life she touched.

Well done, thy good and faithful servant. You have entered into the joy of the Lord.