Deacon Jesse J. Williams, Jr.

Deacon Jesse James Williams, Jr. affectionately known as “Fig”, born March 10, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Jesse James and Sylvia Williams, Sr. 

Jesse attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from Akron East High School class of 1964 where he met and devoted his life to his high school sweetheart, Elaine Mitchell and married on March 18,1966 and to this union two children were born.

Dedicated to serve, Jesse was enlisted into the United States Army in 1966, where he served our country in the Vietnam war as a sergeant later receiving an honorable discharge at the age of 21. 

Giving all, he had to provide for his family, Jesse worked for 9 years at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Terex for 3 years and retired from Akron Children’s Hospital as a counselor in the Psychiatric Unit and shipping and receiving. He later partnered with his wife, Elaine to take on the ministry of caring for individuals with special needs and total care. This journey led to the start of House of Agape, Inc. group home and adult day center and after several years of service to the community, Jesse took an extra leap of faith and started a transportation service for the company. This endeavor still thrives today. 

Jesse continued his service and served the Lord until his final transition. Ordained as a Deacon under Pastor Steven Sledge, in the Church of God in Christ. For many years Deacon Williams took pride and joy in teaching, training and cultivating upcoming deacons and anyone with a heart and willingness to serve. In all his years of serving in the Lord’s church, he was a dedicated member for over 20 years, most proud to serve as the Chairman of the Deacons Board and sing with pride in the men’s chorus of Providence Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Vincent E. (Evelyn) Peterson, I. 

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse J. And Sylvia Williams, Sr. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, devoted and loving wife, Elaine Williams of 57 years; son, Bishop Jesse J. (Lisa) Williams III; daughter, Rachelle Cobb (Arthur Campbell); grandchildren, Je’Lyssa Williams-Boakye, Amber (Pastor Eric) Nevins, Jr., Jazmyn (Clayton) Jacobs, Jesse J. Williams, IV; great grandchildren, Miiah, Zuriel, Ryland, Rhys, Avery, Emryn; special daughter, April Williams; godchildren, Vanessa Buchanan, Troy Moore, Lora (Robert Hunt); special grandchildren, Jamaray, Trinity, Te’Anna, Lauren; brother, Ronald Lee Hardy and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Coach, Deacon, Mentor, Friend, loved by all because love was all he knew.