Jo Helen Williams

                 A TRIBUTE TO JO HELEN DEWEY WILLIAMS

Jo Helen was born in Minco, Oklahoma to Walter Harbert and Ines Estella Lincoln Dewey on September 9, 1926. She was the sixth of seven children: Geneva, Walter ‘Levern’, Estella, Mary ‘Lorene’, Harold, Jo Helen, and Delbert. The family lived through the Great Depression, World Wars and the severe drought of the Oklahoma Dustbowl. They didn’t have running water, electricity or an indoor bathroom. Her mother cooked with a wood stove and washed clothes with a scrub board. Life was hard, but they worked hard and were happy. She and her parents migrated to California after she graduated from high school in 1944.

Jo Helen met up with Merrell Eugene Williams in Hawthorne, CA. Their families had known each other and grown up in Minco, OK. They were married at Centinela Baptist Church in Inglewood, CA on November 14, 1947 and were married just shy of 77 years until Merrell’s death at age 103. He was very proud of his wife and called her his “precious companion.”

Jo Helen and her sisters were very devoted to caring for their parents and were a beautiful example of family love. The ‘girls’ were hospitable and often hosted each other’s families for holiday dinners. There was a closeness of the generations where family was a priority.

Together Jo Helen and Merrell had three children: Keith (Helen), Gregg (Molly) and Lori. Keith and Helen had two sons Jeremy and Brian (deceased). Jeremy (Lisa) have three children: Andrew, Ellie and Jesse. Brian had two children: Dustin and Kayleah. Gregg and Molly’s five children are: 1-Amy (Kevin) Koons (their children are Meredith, Clara, Sophia and Carson), 2- Betsy (her children are Lincoln and Drew Priddy), 3-Christy (Joshua) Shaffer (their son is Dashiell), 4-David and 5-Melissa.

Jo Helen was Merrell’s partner and helper in ministry. He built and established Central Southern Baptist Church in Inglewood, CA and was their pastor for 14 years. Then he went on to pastor various other churches in southern California. Jo Helen was a strong supporter of Women’s Missionary Union and taught in Vacation Bible School. She volunteered at the church office and kept Sunday school records. She loved helping out with special church events, like the Valentine’s banquets and missions emphasis. She was a good organizer of the food at pot lucks and she was an excellent cook. She made pies from scratch, fried chicken and homemade gravy, braided sweet rolls and 30 day cakes. People always complimented her on her dishes and requested her recipes. Both Merrell and Jo Helen were frugal with themselves, but generous with the church. They put the Lord first by tithes and offerings and very often helped the churches they served become debt free. They loved the Lord and showed it by loving His church.

As a child Jo Helen’s favorite subject was home economics, developing skills in cooking and sewing. You couldn’t tell the difference between her suits and store bought. She sewed with perfection. Lori grew up wearing beautiful clothes. She was festive and enjoyed decorating the dining room table according to each holiday. Jo Helen’s first priority was her family. They were always well cared for. She ironed Merrell’s shirts weekly. She took delight in his clothes being clean and pressed.

Jo Helen took time for friendships, to listen to and care for other women. She was kind and soft spoken, as well as sensitive and empathetic. These are good qualities in any woman, but especially a woman called to minister to other women. Jo Helen’s legacy went beyond her immediate family to the church family. She was a good example of Christian womanhood.

“A woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30b