Mary Williams-Bricker

Published 12:02 am Saturday, September 11, 2010

A time to be born: Sister Mary Williams-Bricker was born July 4, 1928, in Lanier County, Ga., to the late Jessie Davis and the late Fred Williams Sr.

A time to plant: At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Marion C. Johnson. As a member, she worked diligently on the Usher Board, Missionary Society and the Kitchen Committee.

A time to love: She joined in marriage in 1956 to Richard S. Bricker Sr. During their union of holy matrimony, they were blessed with five children: John H. Linda, Richard, Shirly and Carl.

A time to build: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10).” Sister Bricker applied her life to wisdom and understanding; she raised her children to love the Lord and to do good will to all. One spends years achieving their master’s degree. However, Sister Bricker’s degree was a gift from God, showing her how to love her children, how to treat others and to show great hospitality down through the years.

A time to die: Peacefully, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, God moved Sister Mary Bricker from her realm at South Georgia Medical Center into eternal rest.

Sister Mary Bricker was preceded in death by her husband, Richard S. Bricker Sr.; Fred Williams Sr. and Jessie Davis (biological parents); William G. and Daisy Foster (adoptive parents); John H. DuPree (son); sister, Seanna Lester (Steve); brothers, Fred Williams, Jack Williams (Mae Ola), Charlie Williams, Luther Williams (Louise), Joseph Williams, Robert Williams (Geraldine) and the Rev. Robert B. Logan; a brother-in-law, Albert McCloud (Grenda); sisters-in-law Willie M. Van Amson (Fritz) and Lula Smarr.

Cherished memories: Her children, Linda Bricker-Akins (John) of Valdosta, Ga., Richard Bricker Jr. (Emma) of Atlanta, Shirley Wallo of Warner Robins, Ga., and Carl Harris of Valdosta; brothers, Edward Williams (Georgia Mae) of Lakeland, Ga., Willie Rizer (Mildred) of Valdosta; a big sister, Melrose Turner of Valdosta; sisters, Annie K. Stewart, Ruth Washington and Frances Burgess of Valdosta; sisters-in-law, Louvenia Williams of Lakeland, Ga., Ruby Williams of New Jersey and Helen Williams of Riviera Beach, Fla., Gladys Logan Hayes of Jacksonville, Fla.; brother-in-law, Eugene McCloud of Valdosta; two aunts, Gladys Henderson of Jacksonville, Fla., and Lucille Davis of Winter Haven, Fla.; grandchildren, Namore Richardson, Shirley A. Gettis, Sonia DuPree (Strather), Demetrius Wallo, Charlita Wynn; and god-grandchildren, Brandon Henry, Quan Sirmons, Daniel Lester, Raheem Foster, Jared Foster and Quadonna Hamilton; 12 great-grandchildren (three “booms” — Simone, Sydney and Sinclaire DuPreee) and three great-great-grandchildren; godchildren, Jewell Nelson, Brenda McEady, Joyce Hamilton, Anne Bentley, Geraldine Collins, Virgil Leonard, Geraldine Vincent, Greg and Georgia Horton; special devoted nieces, Carolyn Brown (K.C.), Cora Turner, Clea Lester, Tina Gaines, Mary Willis, Donna Johnson and Ivey Nease Gore; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at 3 p.m. at the First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Albert L. Barfield, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. — Stevens Funeral Home of Valdosta.