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    Celebrating the Iconic Life of James “JR” Williams Sr.

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    His Legacy:

        James Robert Williams, born in 1951 in Midville, Georgia, moved to Fort Lauderdale to improve his life. Despite facing pneumonia and asthma, he started school at 8 and attended Sunland Park Elementary School and William Dandy Middle School. He graduated from Dillard High in 1971, and his achievements are significant.

    James Williams, a talented entertainer, participated in various activities including a modern dance performance as an African Mandingo, joining the chorus under the direction of Mrs. Rhoda Snead, and being a Drum Major for the Dillard Panthers. He was encouraged to pursue a career in football, band, or other activities, and was watched by Dean Coleman, the “Dean of Boys.”    After graduation, he served in the Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge after a critical medical condition. His dedication to his passion for music and his dedication to his community remained a testament to his talent.

    Until his last breath this charge & roar was clear. “My Name is James Hey, Hey, and that’s no lie Hey, Hey I’ll be a Panther… Hey, Hey, until the day I die.”

    We recount the experiences of JR’s past, including the phasing out of Dillard High during a turbulent time of integration in Broward, which led to an uproar on campus, indicating that the students would not tolerate such actions.

    Employment History:

    Chef James, a 12-year troubled youth, worked as a dishwasher at Sea Grill for seven years before moving on to Carlone’s Enterprise for 22 years. He worked at various restaurants including Brave Bull, Sea Watch, LeDome, RainTree, Carlone’s Cuisine, Buglewood Pub, Stan’s on the Water, St. Joseph’s, St Ann’s Catholic Center, Black Pearl Tavern & Grill, and Durty Harry’s. He held various positions such as cook, pantry, dishwasher, line crew leader, restaurant manager, kitchen manager, and Executive Chef. At the age of 58, Chef James retired from the restaurant industry, reflecting God’s grace and his impact on serving others. His passion was to share his skills and experiences to help youth become self-sufficient. James was one of the first Executive Chefs in Broward County.

    JR, also known as “JR” the King, tried his hand at entrepreneurship, opening up JR’S Ribs, Ribs, Ribs in Fort Lauderdale, across from Bradley’s Bar. The family business was established by JR and passed on to his sister Rosa Thomas.

    In need of relief, he required a Knee Replacement, rehabilitation, and healing that was essential.

    In the next phase of his career, He joins the profession of Security: Enterprise Security Company. Taking on various jobs from around Broward County. Bergeron Rodeo, Banks, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Supervisor of Elections (SOE). His most memorable time was during the 2008 Presidential Election for Barack Obama at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center.

    Our Love Story:

    We married on June 26,1982 with a total of 44 years. He’s been Juliet’s ROCK! Bonnie & Clyde, we’ve been. To this Union came the gift of 2 sons, James Jr., Ja’Quentin Williams. In additional, 2 Daughters: Yolanda Grief, and Latrice Lovett, 2 Sons: James “Sky-Walker”, and Charles Williams.

    James is survived by his loving, and devoted wife, Juliet Gray-Williams: his children, grandchildren. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, Godchildren, extended Family & Friends. James loved his family, and family meant everything to him.

    It’s been an AMAZING journey!

    Community Advocacy

    During his past 3 starlight years, he’s been passionate as a Community Activist, and President of our Rock Island Homeowner’s Association. He has recruited many residents to join in his efforts to improve and protect our community.

    Share.

    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. Having been there helps me really walk with them and anchor them in the storm of life that’s going to come. I want them to understand that their soul really matters. A lot of students focus on mental health, but they really need to focus on spiritual health as well. It should be one and the same. So I’ve been trying to preach that, if anything, spiritual health is just as important as your mental health. But we do encour-age the use of the counseling center, for sure, if there is a mental health crisis. WIB: What does Monday through Friday look like for you? LL: Mondays, we are usually off because of Sundays. On Tuesdays, we have Bible studies, so I’ll host a Bible study at noon along with my colleagues that work in the chapel. And then, I’m teaching a class called Hip-hop and the Gospel on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., dealing with mixing culture and religion. 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Students want something real and authentic, something they can gravitate to, and something that’s convenient. So when we’re outside, people are like, “What’s all the noise outside? What’s all the music?” Then they come outside, and there are chairs, so they grab one and sit and enjoy the service. We come to them. They don’t have to come to us. At the very beginning of the semester, we do services outside the four resi-dence halls. And that kind of gives us a steamroll into homecoming week. And we’ve seen a lot of success because of that. WIB: What should I expect when I arrive for Sunday service? LL: You’re gonna see a lot of involvement with students. I’ve learned that students like to feel invested, and they want to participate in what’s going on. They don’t want to be told by adults what they should and shouldn’t do. So when you go to the service, you’ll see our praise team full of students. You’ll see a choir full of students. You’ll see students reading scripture. 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