Berdine Hall Williams

3/24/1919 – 11/28/2020

Berdine Hall Williams was born in Wheatley, Arkansas, on March 24, 1919, and was the youngest girl of Dennis Hall and Ida Henderson Hall’s 14 children. She is their last living child. Berdine Williams departed this life on, November 28, 2020, at 101-years old. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Williams, brother-in-law Nelson Williams, and two daughters, Gussie Pettis and Bobbie Jean Williams.

As a young girl, Berdine helped her grandmother, who traveled throughout the community visiting the sick and delivering babies. Emulating her, Berdine dreamed of becoming a doctor. After her marriage to Bobby Williams, the family moved to Omaha, NE, in 1944. Berdine worked in hospitals and nursing homes while raising their children. She worked hard and eventually became a nurse. Over the next 75 years, Mrs. Williams dedicated herself to serving the healthcare needs of her community. In 1954 Berdine and Bobby converted their home into a Nebraska Licensed Personal Care Home Facility for five clients. In 1972, they purchased residential homes providing semi-independent living for adults. Their commitment to serving was realized in 1977 when Berdine, her husband, and son Kinze Williams designed and built The Williams Care Manor, a licensed 60-bed nursing home, which they owned and operated employing a daily staff of 35. At that time, it was the first and largest minority-owned facility in Nebraska. In 1988, Deacon John Bryson of Salem Baptist Church christened the facility at a dedication ceremony and bestowed a cornerstone honoring its founders. Also, Mrs. Williams was Vice President on the board of the Faith, Hope & Charity Corporation founded by her daughter, Doris Williams, on April 24, 1998.

Mrs. Williams remained dedicated to continuing her learning journey and encouraged others to pursue their educational dreams. In 2009, the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Lifelong Learning Initiative recognized and awarded Mrs. Williams “The Shirley Waskel Award for Women’s Advancement.” On the occasion of her 100th birthday, March 24, 2019, Berdine Hall Williams was entered into the Congressional Record of the 116th Congress by the Honorable Karen Bass and received a letter of recognition from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Mrs. Williams was an active member of the Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church for 76 years, joining in 1944. She served on both the Deaconess and Mission Boards and the Nursing Committee.

Berdine Hall Williams leaves to mourn her homegoing, her daughters: Ida B. Frazer and Doris M. Williams, and her son: Kinze M. Williams and his wife, Vadie R. Williams. Mrs. Williams also leaves 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Public Visitation: 5:00-7:00 Friday (12/11/2020) at Roeder Mortuary- Ames Chapel.

Private Graveside Service: 12:00 PM Saturday (12/12/2020) at Prospect Hill Cemetery, 3202 Parker St, Omaha, NE.

Memorials to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 2602 North 24th Street, Omaha, NE 68110, Tel: 402.451-8800. Mailing Address: P. O. Box 11593, Omaha, NE 68111. Email: office@mtmoriahomaha.net    Website (Online Giving Available) https://www.mtmoriahomaha.net

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – Ames Chapel – 4932 Ames Ave – Omaha, NE – 402-453-5600 – www.RoederMortuary.com