Barbara Nell Williams

Precious Memories

Barbara Nell Williams

On November 11, 1952, in Denver, Colorado, Barbara Nell (Booker) Williams was enthusiastically welcomed to the family of Delaware and Freda Booker. At the age of two, Barbara (aka “Bardie Bell”, “Barb”, “Barber”, “Baboo” “Aunt Barbara”, Aunt B”, “Miss B”, “Momszy”) moved to Paris, TX to live with her grandmother, Nellie Booker. Her arrival was eagerly anticipated and accepted by her sisters, Patricia (Pat) and Catheryne (Cathy), and her cousin, Mattie Mae (Pee Wee). Barbara began her early childhood education at Gibbons Elementary School where she completed first and second grade.

Barbara, Pat, and Cathy grew up singing every Sunday morning at the Tudor Street Church of God in Christ (COGIC) under the Pastorate of Rev. M.B. Ellison. They were known as “The Booker Sisters” or as “1-2-3” as affectionately called by Eld. Ellison. Because they were so small, when they sang, they had to stand on wood crates to be seen. As she was the favorite of Eld. Ellison, Barbara was always the recipient of the cake prizes from the many cake walks held at the church.

Although she was quick to tell you that she wasn’t spoiled, it was to the contrary, beginning with the cake walks at Tudor Street COGIC.  Her sisters were always protective of her. As youngsters, whenever she got in trouble, they would beg their grandmother to “whoop” them instead of her!

This sometimes led to her not getting her “just reward”. Their grandmother would often just shake her head, but she understood the love they had for their “baby sister”. Cathy was especially protective of her and on several occasions, stood up for Barbara by going to blows for her.

At the age of eight, Barbara along with her two sisters and grandmother, moved back to Denver, where she attended Mitchell and Columbine Elementary, Smiley Jr. High and East High School. Her grandmother joined Holy Trinity COGIC under the Pastorate of Eld. Samuel Feaster. They were quickly recognized as talented singers and were encouraged to continue to praise God with their voices. Later, along their grandmother, joined Campbell’s Memorial COGIC, under the pastorate of Bishop L.A. Jordan.

Barbara accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age. During a revival at the Globeville COGIC, all three girls received the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

When they got home that night, they didn’t have to explain to their grandmother what had occurred. She knew by their appearance, that they had experienced a life-change.

Although all the girls were close, because Barbara and Cathy were the youngest, they were closer.  This bond was evident as, for many years, they slept in the same bed. Because Barbara was afraid to sleep by herself, she would always cuddle under Cathy, not leaving her much bed space. Barbara sometimes took this closeness to another level and would sneak and wear Cathy’s clothes. On one occasion, that was not so pleasing to Cathy, she wore one of Cathy’s outfits to school. When she returned home, she hid it in the milk chute, but guess who found it. Another testament to their closeness was exemplified, by their nephew, Mark, who nicknamed them “Mary and Martha”.

During her many years at Campbell’s Memorial, along with being a member of the choir, Barbara served in many capacities. She was also the State Sunshine Band President.  In 1969, Barbara was the featured soloist with the Campbell’s Memorial COGIC choir in a Sunday morning television special musical presentation. In the early 1970s, a young musician by the name of Clifton Young, joined Campbell’s and soon discovered the talent of the Booker girls. He asked their grandmother if he could form a group with them. Later, another talented songstress by the name of Ann (now McDonald) joined the group.  This group was featured in many musicals throughout the Denver.

Barbara was united in holy matrimony with Percy L. Williams. This union produced two beautiful and talented daughters, Melikita Sharron and Tia Anganette. She taught them to praise God with their voices, and when the girls were old enough, they joined their mother in singing. Again, she and her daughters quickly became well-known throughout the city as “The Williams” singers.

After the untimely demise of her children in 1984, Barbara moved to Oklahoma City with her cousin, Nell Moore. She later returned to Denver and attended Zion Temple Church with her sister, Cathy.

During this time also, Barbara decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a cosmetologist and enrolled in the Sharon Doran Beauty Academy, where she completed course work and obtained her cosmetology license in 1987. Shortly after she was employed at Maxwell’s Beauty Salon where she and her friend Mildred’s space was known as the “Prayer Room”. When you entered their room, you were embraced with the love of God and when you left, you knew that you had been in His presence through these two God-fearing women.

She and her good friend, Raymond Hines joined Redeeming Love Fellowship Church (RLFC) under the pastorate of Bishop Clyde R. Nichols. At RLFC she again served in various facets of ministry including choir member, Wednesday Night Prayer Leader, Bible Study teacher, and leader of the Fifth Sunday Musicians’ Appreciation.

Barbara was a faithful woman of God.  She always exemplified the attributes of Christ and if you came into contact with her, you quickly knew of her alliance to Him. She was not one to mince words when it came to her faith in God. She was a loving and giving person. If she had it and you needed, or even wanted it, she would freely give it to you.

Through her friendship with Elizabeth (Liz) Fitzsimmons, she was able to lead Liz to Christ. Through this introduction, Liz was able to share Christ with her husband, Dan. In addition, Barbara became the godmother of their four children. They all loved her so much and would do anything for “Barb”!  Since Sarah was the only girl, she had a special place in Barbara’s heart.

After the loss of her children, not only did she have the Fitzsimons clan, but Barbara became surrogate to several others, who affectionately called her “Mom”, “Mama B”. Later, God sent Barbara an adopted (“ride-or-die”) daughter, Mary Miles, who affectionately called her “Momszy”. Although they could not replace Sharron and Tia, Sarah and Mary certainly filled the void and Barbara affectionately referred to them as her daughters.

Barbara will always be remembered for her ability to reach the rafters with her melodic soprano voice. Her most favored and most requested rendition was “When Jesus Comes” (He’ll take the Gloom).

She is preceded in death by her husband, Percy Williams; daughters, Melikita and Tia Williams; parents, Delaware Booker and Freda Pope; sister, Marilynn Johnson, brothers;  Kenneth and Calvin Finnie, and Brian (Montez) Booker; maternal and paternal grandparents, three aunts;  and two uncles; several cousins; and her dear friends, Sallie Qualls and Rosie Martin

In the early morning of July 24, 2023, Jesus came in and He took the pain, the mental anguish and all the unanswered questions of Barbara’s gloom and exchanged them all for a glorified body.  Now she can truly “Walk Around Heaven All Day.”  Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her sisters, Rosa E. (Cookie) Hobbs, Patricia Collier, Catheryne (Elder Larry) Queen, and Gail Evans; brothers; Dernard Booker, Byron Finnie; nephews: Richard Caddell, Howard (Sabrina) Hobbs, Jr., Eric (Yukie) Booker, Mark (Nekita) Jordan, Brandon Finnie, Javon Baker; nieces: Rosa N. (Peaches) Hobbs, Natalie Jones, Nicole Jackson, Antoinette Foster, Jordainae Hobbs, Kawanna Booker, Kasasha Gaines; the Redeeming Love Fellowship Church Family, and numerous other family members and friends.