Taylor Funeral Home

Obituaries
Beverly Gilbert Williams
Date of Death or Service Feb 15, 2020
Beverly Gilbert Williams
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     Funeral services and celebration of life will be Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul AME Church in Woodlawn,TN. There are two visitations planned. The first visitation will be at Taylor Funeral Home on Friday evening, February 14th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be an Eastern Star Service held at the Funeral Home Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The second visitation will be on Saturday at St. Paul AME Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Place of rest will be in the Casey Cemetery.
 In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Promise Land Heritage Association.
 Mrs. Williams, age 82, a longtime Dickson County educator, of Clarksville,TN died peacefully February 6, 2020 at her home with her family by her side.
     Once upon a time in the year of 1937, in a place known as the Land of Promise, a little girl was born to Robert and Essie Gilbert. Robert and Essie knew for sure that this little girl was indeed a gift from God, because she was born on Christmas Day. They named her Beverly and nick named her “Belle” and a belle she was. Very much like her father she was friendly, high-spirited, outspoken, witty, and could charm the socks off anyone. God graciously blessed Beverly, with a loving, kind, caring and nurturing spirit. Already blessed with devoted parents and an older sister, God would later gift Beverly with four more sisters and two brothers for her to lavish with her abundant love and kindness.
     Her parents took her to St. John Methodist Church in Promise Land. There she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. Beverly was a devoted member of St. John. There she developed skills in speaking and singing. It was her earliest faith and social network.
     Her older sister Bobbye was her first best friend and confidant. They shared many fun times, secrets and dreams. Beverly delighted in time spent with Bobbye, but she could not help becoming a self-appointed nanny to her younger siblings. Her mother recalled how, as a child, Beverly would often steal away from play, to attend the needs of one of the younger children. She would be seen hoisting a younger sib upon her hips, with the smaller child’s legs dangling to the ground because of Beverly’s own small stature.
     Beverly’s first major life challenge was having to cope with separation from Bobbye. When Bobbye finished Promise Land School, she was to attend Hampton High School in Dickson. At that time, bus transportation was unreliable to and from the school. Their father’s brother, Jewel invited Bobbye to come to St. Louis to live with him and his wife, Mary and attend high school there. After long discussions with her parents, and with Beverly, Bobbye with an adventurous spirit, eagerly accepted Uncle Jewel’s invitation.
     Initially, the separation was difficult, but she soon adjusted. Her parents, younger siblings and a host of other relatives were still in Promise Land with her. Bobbye being in St. Louis, gave her an opportunity to travel out of state to visit. A week did not pass that they did not write each other. She also involved herself with school and church activities. One activity was being a member of a quartet known as the Theo Edmondson and Promise Land Singers, organized by her Uncle Theodore. The quartet traveled throughout middle Tennessee to perform gospel music, and they were on radio and television.
     By the time Beverly finished Promise Land Elementary, the bus transportation system to Hampton High had greatly improved. She entered high school and quickly became “the belle” of the campus. She made many friends and excelled academically. She was a cheerleader, a spelling bee champion, and was a county essay contest winner. In her Senior year she was named homecoming queen and was the valedictorian of her graduating Class of 1956.
     The year that she graduated high school was exceptionally difficult. That summer, her favorite aunt passed away. It was also the same year she moved from her parent’s home to Omaha, Nebraska, to live with her grandparents, and to attend college at the University of Omaha. It appeared at first that she had adapted to college and living in a new state. She attended her grandparents’ church where she made friends, and at the university, she joined a concert choir, performed well academically and had begun pledging a sorority. But she still missed and longed for her family in Tennessee. At the end of the school year, she had her records from the university transferred to Tennessee State University where she fully matriculated that fall. She also secured a job and a work study grant that allowed her to complete her education.
     Beverly graduated with honors three years after transferring to Tennessee State. Upon graduating she was offered and accepted a position with the Dickson County Board of Education. She began her teaching career at her alma mater, Hampton High School as a Business Teacher. She would go on to enjoy 35 years of teaching in the Dickson County School System. During her tenure she experienced much success and recognition.
     As a young professional, she enjoyed life in Dickson County. She became a member of the Tulip Chapter Order of Eastern Stars. She was also an avid supporter of extra curricula school events.
     You could say that Beverly paved the way in many aspects for her siblings. She was a role model, a mentor and a source of support (financially and emotionally). As her siblings grew up and moved to other cities and states, Beverly would travel to visit them. Travelling became one of her favorite past times. Next to traveling she enjoyed making a home for her aging parents; participating in professional, civic and church activities; and entertaining family and friends. It appeared that she was living a golden life. But God had more in-store for her.
     She became acquainted with a fellow educator who lived in an adjoining county. He was a dashing gentleman whose name was Hyburnia Williams. He shared many things in common with Beverly. They shared a fondness of education, music and entertaining with family and friends. Like Beverly, he was also a Christian, and involved in his church and community activities. In each other they found a soulmate and love. Although there was a long courtship, anyone could see that the two of them were destined to become one. Then one day, before a minister in a church full of family and friends, they declared their eternal love for each other. They were married.
     The couple brought their large extended families to the marriage. They were delighted for the increase that God had granted them. Their hearts grew with more love to share. After marriage, Beverly moved to her new home in Clarksville with her husband. Continuing to maintain support at St. John, she moved her church membership to her husband’s church, St. Paul AMEC in Woodlawn, TN. Beverly continued employment with Dickson County until retirement in 1995. Hyburnia retired from the Montgomery County School System near the same time. This enabled them to enjoy retirement together. In retirement they enjoyed more extensive traveling, spending time with family; participating in church activities including the choirs and auxiliaries; civic organizations (i.e. the Civitan Club and the Promise Land Heritage Association); TSU Alumni and high school alumni associations; and retired teacher associations.
     Beverly and Hyburnia spent 31 years of marital bliss.
     One day Beverly began a journey of which she would not return. All who loved her knew that they would not go with her until God said so. However, that did not stop them from trying to hold on to her. Her beloved husband was there to bid a sweet farewell. Some of the same younger siblings for whom she had cared were now there to care for her. She closed her eyes to enter the home that Jesus had promised her.
     Left to grieve are her husband, Hyburnia Williams; stepdaughter, Tracy Mullins, her brothers, Joseph and William Gilbert, sisters, Della Bryant, Serina Gilbert, Linda (Ken) Watson; sister-n-law, Mary Alice Crosslin; brother-n-law, Eugene Williams; special niece, Robin Beasly; godson, Cory McKensie; a host of nephews and nieces and cousins; many friends and acquaintances.

     Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

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