Cynthia Simmons Williams

A Life of Faith and Love: Remembering Mother Cynthia Simmons Williams

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8 -10). She will now rest from her labor (Hebrews 4:9-11), and there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Our beloved daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, Cynthia Simmons Williams, entered eternal rest on June 26, 2025.  Born on January 4, 1949, in Walterboro, SC, she was the cherished daughter of Prophet Ernest Simmons and the late Margie Simmons.

On January 27, 1972, Cynthia married her soulmate, the late Bishop Elijah Williams Sr. In her final days, she often spoke of seeing him again and wondered if he would meet her at the gate, a testament to their love. To her church family at Emmanuel Temple Barnwell, SC (established 1976), she was affectionately known as Mother Williams.

Mother Williams was truly the heart of her home and family. She lovingly raised six children: Elijah Williams Jr.; Dawn Bross (Steve) of Columbia, SC; Kartina Williams Harrison (John) of Orangeburg, SC; Lance Williams of Atlanta, GA; Tynette Goff (James) of Walterboro, SC; and Marjorie Tamika Williams of Walterboro, SC. She is also survived by her daughter, Carla Williams of Jacksonville, FL. And a special daughter, Merilyn Williams (N. Leon) of Walterboro, SC. Her legacy extends to 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought joy to her life.

Mother Williams leaves behind a rich tapestry of love and cherished memories for her family and friends. She is survived by her father, Prophet Ernest Simmons Walterboro, SC, and her sister Ernestine Whittenberg (Charles), Simpsonville, SC. She also leaves behind brothers-in-law Bishop Anderson Williams (Glenda) and Robert Lee Williams, both of Walterboro, SC; sisters-in-law Martha Smalls and Agnes Allen of Walterboro, SC, Sadie Mathis of Jacksonville, FL, Otharine Singleton (Joseph) of Charleston, SC, Mary White of California, Rosa Ellison (Joseph) of Walterboro, SC, and Emma Landy (Willie) of Walterboro, SC, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and God children.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bishop Elijah Williams Sr.; her mother, Margie Simmons; her brother, Ernest Simmons Jr.; and her in-laws Frazier and Otha Williams. She was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Elder Frazier Williams (Jacksonville, FL), James Landy and Robert Lee Williams (Walterboro, SC) and Elder Davis Mathis (Jacksonville, FL).

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