Rev. Nathaniel Williams

The Governor of South Carolina advises to limit public gatherings to 50 guests or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC carefully considered this recommendation and ask that additional guest please participate via live-streaming if it is authorized by the family.

Private Funeral service for Reverend Nathaniel Williams, Sr. will be conducted 12 Noon Friday, April 24, 2020 at J. O. & Annette Smith Memorial Chapel, 307 S. Johns St., Florence. Interment will follow in Flat Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Reverend Nathaniel Williams, Sr was born on September 2, 1938 in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Sylvester Williamson and Annie Jackson. After a brief illness, Nathaniel was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 17, 2020.

Nathaniel, affectionately known as Nat or Nae, was educated in Darlington School System. He attended Mayo High School, where he was a star athlete and was great at every sport he played. He was one of the first to be inducted into Mayo High School Hall of Fame from the Class of 1959. After High School, he went to Trade School and became a licensed Barber.

In 1962, Nat relocated to New York City, where he met and married Lillian Marie Lane and celebrated more than 50 years of marital bliss.

Nat was employed with Route Messenger Service as a driver and retired in 2005, after 33 years of service.

In 1991, Nat was called into the Ministry. After many years of training and guidance at The Evening Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend W.L. Lundy, he was ordained to the title of Reverend. He served as Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York for 5 years.

In 2013, Nat and Lillian decided to head back to the south and relocated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They found a new church home at The Outreach for Jesus Christian and Education Center, where Reverend Dorothy Batts is Pastor.

Nat was a very family oriented and kind man. His home was always filled with love, laughter and a good meal. The man who nicknamed himself “Mr. Pitiful” will truly be missed.

Nathaniel is predeceased by his father, Sylvester Williamson; mother, Annie Jackson; seven brothers; and three sisters, whom he loved dearly. Nathaniel leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Lillian; eight children to include five bonus children, Travis Ray, Nathaniel Williams, Jr. and Tricia Williams all of Brooklyn, New York, Linda Reed of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Henry Harley, Jr. of Richland, Missouri, Janice Alston of Willingboro, New Jersey, Joyce Harley of Bronx, New York and Kenny Potts of Middletown, New Jersey; twenty-six grandchildren, two of whom heraised as his own, Wayne Reed and Su'nae Williams; two brothers, Solomon Williamson, Sr. (Lee) and Walter Williamson (Lizzie) all of Darlington, South Carolina; three sisters, Lottie Tedder, Lugenia Timmons (Charles) and Dorothy Coleman; seven brothers- in- law; and an host of nephews; nieces; and cherished friends, who became family.

Please keep the family of Rev. Nathaniel Williams, Sr. in your thoughts and prayers.

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