James "Dick" Matthew Williams

James Matthew “Dick” Williams, 79, of Roanoke Rapids died Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Signature Health Care in Roanoke Rapids, N.C.  He had been a resident of Signature Health Care for several months.

Mr. Williams was born July 20, 1939 to the late Henry and Genevia Hardison Williams in Martin County, Jamesville, N.C.  As a young boy he worked on a farm, especially putting in tobacco.  He came to Roanoke Rapids as a teenager, was married to Martha Elizabeth Rogers for thirty-nine years and LaVonne Edwards for twenty years.  Both preceded him in death.

Mr. Williams was also preceded in death by his brother, Clifton Williams (Carolyn); his sister, Dorothy Courtney (Vernon); mother-in-law, Iona Shaw Rogers; brothers-in-law, Herbert Odell Rogers and Edward “Ed” Dodson Tippett. He is survived by his son, Wendell Keith Williams; granddaughter, Abbie Elizabeth Newsome (Monk); great-granddaughter, Aurora Isabelle Newsome; cousins, Alice Stevenson (D.B.) and Ed Williams (Barbara); three nieces and their family along with numerous other cousins; a sister-in-law, Patricia Rogers Tippett.

Mr. Williams worked at J.P. Stevens for a number of years before starting his own business, “Dick Williams' Garden & Lawn Service”.  He enjoyed growing a garden and sharing vegetables with family and friends.  He also enjoyed cooking barbeque, collards, having fish fries, and family reunions.  He also liked meeting his friends at Oscar’s and the “Hardee’s Breakfast Group”.  He was always willing to help anyone that needed help.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2018 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service with Andy White and Rev. Danny Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in the Powell Family cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Hockaday Funeral Home from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Sunday, October 7 ^th and other times at his son’s house.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.