Mr. Howard Lee Williams, 87, died Thursday, June 4, 2015, at the Regency Hospital in Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Services for Mr. Williams were held on Friday, June 12, at the Sweetwater CME Church. Pastor Maxine Price of Blackmon Temple CME Church in Carson officiated. Interment was in the Sweetwater Church Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Williams was the son of the late Cleve Williams and the late Lou Ella Barnes Williams of rural Lamar County. At an early age he joined the Blackmon Temple Church and remained a faithful member until his health failed. Mr. Williams served his Lord and Church as a Sunday school teacher, as a member of the male choir, usher, trustee, and a layman. In addition to his church work, Mr. Williams served as a member of the Carson Lodge #570.

Mr. Williams married the late Smove Martin of the Sweetwater community of rural Jefferson Davis County, and to this union 11 children were born, two of whom preceded him in death.

As a hard worker and great provider, Mr. Williams worked a number of various jobs, retiring from the Northeast Jefferson Davis Water Association.

Mr. Williams’ survivors include four sons, Samuel (Diane) Williams, Ricky (Alesha) Williams, both of Prentiss, Charles E. (Debbie) Williams of Beaverton, OR, and Keith Williams of San Bernadino, CA; five daughters, Barbara A. Williams of San Bemadion, CA, Ezatha (Mack) Smith of Detroit, MI, Hazel (Charles) Thompson of Bassfield, Patricia (Cedric) Tarpley of Severn, MD, and Lessie Pearl Williams of Prentiss; a reared granddaughter, Shala Wilson; 27 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.