Nanette Williams

Nanette Jean Jacobs Williams, 77, of Locust went to be with her Lord on Monday, December 4, 2017. She passed away quickly, painlessly, and peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family. She is in the loving arms of her Father, Savior, and Lord of her life. Nanette was born in Rogers, AR on December 25, 1939 to Lewis Jacobs and Mable Greene Jacobs. She went to Rogers High School, College of the Ozarks, John Brown University, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with an elementary education degree. She taught school for a while, stayed home with her daughters when they were small, then taught at their school. She provided home daycare for many children. She later taught at a preschool.

Nanette met Frank Williams while they attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. It was there that she gave her life to Christ and followed Him her whole life. Frank and Nanette were married in Rogers, AR on August 23, 1964. They moved to Raleigh, NC in 1966 and started a family. Nanette taught Sunday School and sang in the choir with Frank. She was involved with the children’s ministry at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC. She enjoyed singing in the community choir “Messiah” every year with Frank. She attended Bible Study Fellowship classes with her sister for several years. One of the things that Nanette enjoyed most was boating and camping with Frank, family and friends. Frank and Nanette moved to Locust, NC in 2013 and had a home built in Concord, near Midland. They always came back to Sharon, Amanda, and Emily’s house in the evenings to help with things, eat, and spend the night. Nanette liked being in charge of waking everyone for school. She enjoyed cooking for the family and for anyone else. She attended Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte regularly and Carolina Presbyterian Church as often as she could. She enjoyed visiting Carolina Christian School where her granddaughters attend and helping there. She was known by some CCS students as “Miss Grandmom”. Nanette made many friends wherever she went. There are so many stories to tell about her.

Nanette gave selflessly. She was happy and content with what she had and would thank you profusely for the smallest things done, said, or given. She always wanted her family to have the best. She also gave money to her family when she could and bought gifts for people. She gave to charitable organizations and to her church. She lavished forgiveness as much as she gave.
Mom enjoyed doing things and would flit and flutter around from place to place. She had a unique pace and style. Everything excited her. She loved to care for people, plants, animals, you name it. She could find pleasure in the smallest things. She loved to talk to people. She loved to laugh and to make others laugh. She would listen to people’s problems and give abundant heart-felt sympathy. She would help with anything. Everyone she touched in her life loved her.

Nanette is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Frank Edwin Williams; daughters, Sharon Kay Barker of Locust, NC and daughter, Carol Lynne (Jerry Duane) Henshaw of Evans, GA; sister, Jerre Lynne West of Cary, NC; and sister-in-law, Betty Lou Jacobs of Rogers, AR. Nanette is also survived by her grandchildren, whom she loved so much, Kara Lynn Barker, Jordan Andrew Henshaw, Amanda Grace Barker, Emily Nicole Barker, Lauren Elizabeth Henshaw and Caleb Stephen Henshaw; niece, Jennifer Kathryn West Meyer; and nephew, Russell Ethan West. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, and by her brother, Lewis "Thornton" Jacobs.

The family will receive friends from 1:00- 2:15 pm, Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Carolina Presbyterian Church, 406 Renee Ford Road, Locust. The funeral service will be Saturday at 2:30 pm at Carolina Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. David Yoran. Burial will follow at Cabarrus Memorial Gardens, 3892 Hwy 73 E, Concord.

Nanette was truly a gift from God. She is so missed. She did not know that she was going to die, nor did she expect to die, but a heart attack took her quickly and painlessly. She did not suffer. God blessed her in this way. God allowed us all to be with her in Sharon’s home. She revived one time in Sharon’s arms and wondered why on earth an ambulance was coming. She talked with us for another minute or so and then she passed. We are lost without her. She was a beautiful, virtuous woman.

We thank Ridgecrest/Stanly County EMS for their help.

Memorial donations may be made to Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN, PO Box 7300, Charlotte, NC 28241; 800-888-7077; bbnradio.org); Ridgecrest Fire & Rescue (24792 Millingport Road, Locust, NC 28097); or Carolina Christian School Financial Aid Fund (406 Renee Ford Road, Locust, NC 28097; carolinachristianschool.com).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Williams family.