A Legacy of Faith, Love, and Grace: Mother Rosemary Odom Williams

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” — 2 Timothy 4:8

On Saturday, May 31, 1941, my earthly journey began. Born to my dear parents Elijah E. and Ruth W. Odom, God blessed me with a life filled with faith, family, love, service, and many treasured memories. As I reflect upon my years, I am grateful for every person I loved, every life I touched, every place I traveled, and every opportunity I received to serve the Lord and others.

As a proud Bulldog, I attended Alfred Ely Beach High School and graduated in the class of 1959. I went on to attend Savannah State College (now Savannah State University) for two years, then transferred to Savannah Vocational Technical School (now Savannah Technical College) to study childhood development.

On Monday, June 25, 1962, in Savannah, Georgia, I married my beloved husband, Nathanial Harry Williams. Together, we built a life grounded in love, commitment, faith, and family. God blessed our union with four beautiful children—Dwayne Nathaniel, David Larrone, Deidre Rayne, and Darrell Audwin. Our children brought immeasurable joy and purpose to our lives. My husband and I shared fifty two years of marriage before he went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 19, 2014. Throughout those years, we experienced the joys and challenges of life together, creating a family legacy that will continue for generations. Caring for children was one of the great joys of my life. I began my career at St. Pius X Daycare School, where I served for fifteen years and became a lead teacher. I approached each child with compassion, patience, and genuine love. I believed that every child deserved to feel safe, valued, and encouraged.

I later joined the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, where I served for fourteen years as a paraprofessional. During my years with the district, I worked at Haven, White Bluff, Hesse, and Windsor Forest Elementary Schools. Wherever I served, I tried to be a source of Godly kindness, support, and encouragement to the students and educators around me. After 29 years devoted to educating and caring for children, I retired in June 2006. Although my professional career ended, the love I had for children and my compassionate spirit remained an important part of who I was.

Outside of my career, I found happiness in the simple pleasures of life. God blessed me with a green thumb, and I loved growing and caring for beautiful flowers. Watching something bloom under my care brought me great joy. I also expressed my love through cooking and baking. My kitchen was a place where memories were made, stories were shared, and family members gathered around the table. Some of my favorite dishes included collard greens, neckbones, pig feet, potato salad, sweet potatoes, and many other family favorites. Baking was another special joy. I delighted in preparing jelly cakes, chocolate cakes, sour cream pound cakes, peach cobblers, apple pies, bread pudding, sweet potato soufflé, and fruitcakes. Every meal and dessert was prepared with love, and feeding my family was one of the ways I cared for those closest to me.

My husband and I also enjoyed traveling together. Whether I was traveling with him, our children, or my church family, I appreciated the opportunity to see new places and create lasting memories. Our adventures included family trips, church excursions, visits to amusement parks, and cruises. The destination was always enjoyable, but being surrounded by the people I loved made every journey truly special.

During my quieter moments, I enjoyed watching television, movies, and inspirational and spiritual programs. I also loved completing word-search puzzles, which provided many peaceful hours of enjoyment. For many years I enjoyed membership in the Epicurean Social Club and faithfully gave to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

My faith remained the foundation of my life. I love the Lord. Decades of my daily prayer and devotion times were sacred to me. God assigned me to Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church where I served faithfully for over sixty years. Over the more than six decades, I shared the love of God as Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School Superintendent, Senior Mission Ministry President, Single Ministry Leader, and a Faithful Sunday School Member. In May 2026, I was honored to be appointed as Mother of the Church. This became my final official role of kingdom service, and I accepted the precious responsibility with humility, gratitude, and love.

Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 112th Church Anniversary last month. By God’s grace, I was able to attend worship on that fourth Sunday of August. That Sunday became my final time worshipping in the sanctuary with the congregation I loved and cherished. What a blessing it was to be present, surrounded by my beloved church family, celebrating more than a century of God’s faithfulness.

On Friday, September 11, 2026, my earthly journey came to an end, and I peacefully answered the Master’s call. I firmly believe that Father God sent Heaven’s best angels to escort me to my eternal home. Oh what a reunion it was to have my husband Nathaniel meet me at the heavenly gates. I was also blessed to see beloved loved ones whom Jesus called before me—my son, Dwayne N. Williams; my parents, Elijah E. and Ruth W. Odom; my siblings, Eric Odom, Beatrice Odom, and Florrie Pierce; and my son-in-love, Craig J. Maxwell.

Although my physical presence is no longer with you, my love remains in every cherished memory, every family recipe, every flower that blooms, every lesson shared, and every life I was blessed to touch. Please remember me with joy. Remember my compassion for children, my devotion to family, my love of cooking and baking, my enjoyment of travel, and, most importantly, my faith in God. I lived. I loved. I served. I gave. And through the grace of God, I completed my journey. My story does not end here. It continues through my children, my family, my church, my students, and all those who carry a special memory of me within their hearts.

God allowed me to leave a lasting legacy with my children, David L. Williams, Deidra Williams Maxwell, Darrell A. Williams, Sr.; grandchildren, Marquese A. Williams, Tauviana Williams, Sada Maxwell, Bavaria Dowling, Darrell Williams, Jr., Darrington Williams, Kishonna Maxwell, Alan Chung, Alana Chung, Martina Floyd; Great-Grandchildren, Kennedi Williams, Dallas Williams, Dior Williams, Amari Williams, Linwood Thacker, III, Patrick Thacker, Nassiah Thacker, Idalinn Thacker, Gabon Thacker; daughter-in-love, Beverly Williams, brother-in-love/sister-in-love, Elder Wallace and Linda Williams; sister-in-love, Nathalee Williams; adopted sons, Brett Campbell, Bobby Brown, and Ben Daniels; a multitude of adopted grandchildren; Godchildren, Antoinette Coast, Delisa Wright-Tucker, Benjamin Wright, Jr., Sandra Wright, and Shawtay Wright; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church family, and friends.

The Public Viewing for Mother Rosemary Odom Williams will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, 816 Bowden Street, Savannah, GA 31415. The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Christ Memorial Baptist Church, 1023 Dutchtown Road, Savannah, GA 31419. The final resting place will be Laurel Grove South Cemetery, 2101 Kollock Street, Savannah, GA 31415.

The Celebration of Life will be live streamed via Campbell & Sons Funeral Home’s Facebook page and Christ Memorial Baptist Church’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Resolutions and letters of condolence may be submitted to Campbell & Sons Funeral Home no later than Thursday, September 24, 2026.

Please sign our guestbook at www.campbellandsonsfuneralhome.com