Vivian Lewis Williams, 89, of Eagle Springs, NC, died peacefully on Thursday, July 01, 2010 at her home, one day after celebrating her 89th birthday with her family. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Raleigh Williams; her brothers, Earl Lewis of Eagle Springs and Ralph Lewis of Durham.
Vivian was born June 30, 1921 in Samarkand to the late Willie Thomas Lewis and Margaret Monroe Lewis. She was a graduate of West End High School in 1939, and was married to Arthur on December 24, 1941. She was also a dedicated member of Bensalem Presbyterian Church all her life, receiving the Presbyterian Church's Honorary Life Membership in 1983. She taught Sunday school and Bible school, served on various church committees, participated in Presbyterian Women's Circles, served as an Elder and contributed her fine alto voice to the choir of which she was a charter member for decades. Most importantly, she and Arthur raised their family to also be faithful servants of the Church.
Vivian enjoyed music, playing the piano, singing, and traveling. Family and friends also will remember her for her welcoming smile and gift of hospitality. There was always room at her table for one more.
Vivian was a true matriarch and felt her greatest achievement in life was her family. She was proud of her family and found joy in watching them grow and in supporting them. She is survived by a large family that will miss her dearly: son Clement Monroe Williams and wife Barbara; daughter Nancy Williams Green and husband Roger; daughter Judy Williams Blake and husband Bobby; daughter Dianne Williams Sutphin and husband Richard; and son William Arthur Williams and wife Jan; fifteen grandchildren: Greg Williams and his wife Charlotte of Eagle Springs; April Carpenter and her husband Tim of Seven Lakes ; Brad Williams and his wife Michelle of Hillsborough; Clif Williams and his wife Carter of Richmond, VA; Jody Green of Charlotte; Jeff Green of Eagle Springs; Jennifer Kidd and her fiance Jason Coffman of Ft. Myers; FL, Brant Blake and his wife Kathryn of Seven Lakes; Taylor Blake and his wife Jackie of Wilmington; William Sutphin and his wife Suzanne of Chapin, SC; Holly Camplin and her husband Todd of Seven Lakes; Katie Tucker and her husband Jeff of Eagle Springs; Laura Williams of Eagle Springs; Will Williams of Eagle Springs; and Ben Williams of Eagle Springs; twenty-four great-grandchildren: Sullivan, Garrett, and Sam Williams; Raley and Jack Carpenter; Connor, Lindsey, Abigail, Liberty, and Isabella Williams; Stella and Luke Williams; Jacob Green; Sawyer and Elisabeth Blake; Madeline, Robert, Lindsay, Beatrice and Kristine Blake; Clark and Wheylon Sutphin; Vivian and Daniel Camplin; and one brother, W. T. Lewis of Eagle Springs, NC and one sister, Mary Lena Cole of Fountain, NC.
Vivian's family especially thanks her dedicated and loyal caregivers who were always by her side for the last few years: Jessie Dowd, Donnell Capel, Thelma Bowden, Sheryl Conrad and Adam Smith. Their devotion to her was immeasurable.
The family will receive visitors in the Bensalem Presbyterian Church fellowship hall Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at Bensalem Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 3rd at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bensalem Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 157, Eagle Springs, NC 27242.
Online condolences may be made at www.phillipsfh.com.