LARRY WILLIAMS

God calls us to ‘love one another.’ These are not mere words for me but a call from my Heavenly Father to do what’s right, treat people well, and use my gifts to glorify Him.

 

I hope I’ve done that in my 72 years on this earth—through my service at Antioch Baptist Church as a Trustee and Christian Education leader, the years I spent working in mental health counseling, serving on the Hardeman County School Board, and the countless times I've been asked for advice from loved ones and others, which I've gladly offered.

 

I have lived a blessed life and was fortunate to share most of it with my wife of 47 years, Teresa. Through our union, we raised two daughters, Erica and Amber. Prior to my daughters, I was blessed with a son, Dunstan.

 

I am grateful for my brothers—Mike, Greg, Terry, William David, Cliff, and Carl as well as my sisters, Joann, Mary and the two who preceded me, Jeanette and Delois. Through matrimony, I was blessed with cherished in-laws, including sisters, brothers, cousins, and beloved nieces and nephews.

 

To my family and friends, because you can no longer reach out to me for a listening ear or advice, I want to share with you a few principles that I’ve always tried to live by.

 

• Don’t follow the crowd. Follow God.

• As simple as it sounds, it’s also really powerful: if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

• Be a person of your word: if you say you will do it, do it.

• Be of good courage. Do not be afraid to stand up for what is right.

• Be swift to hear and slow to speak. In other words, be a better listener than talker.  To take from the same scripture: Be slow to anger.

• Whatever your gifts are, use them to add value to people’s lives, and most importantly, to glorify God.

• Above all, remember what God calls us to do—love one another.

 

I've always said I don’t mind when my time to transition comes because I not only know God, but have a very close relationship with Him. My only concern was how my family would cope once I was gone. But now, I am at peace knowing that my words, advice, and love will always carry them, and if it doesn’t, I know God will.