Love is the Greatest
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13 New Living Translation
Her Life...
Gwendolyn (Wendi) Williams was born to the sweet mother
Olivia Williams and father Charlie Williams. Wendi’s favorite childhood memories were of taking an plum or two from Mrs. Bates plum tree in the backyard and then running away like the dickens, playing with her little sister Debbie and her dog Ethel; one of her favorite gifts ever. She would play all day long with Nita Petty and Claudette until the porch light came on. There are countless stories regarding her and her sisters that would make you laugh until you cried. She loves her sisters and when the chips are down their bond is unbreakable. At a young age, Wendi would sing all the time; it was her favorite pastime. She sung everywhere; in the backyard, in neighborhood talent shows and school programs to name a few. Word got around fast, and she really became a popular local celebrity. She was the first family member ever to appear on the big TV screen. At the age of 14 she was on channel 5’s Talent Showcase. Everyone was glued to their TV sets to watch her even her father. Don Meeks missed Tarzan (his favorite TV show at the time) to see his future wife perform! Music was a BIG part of her life. Her mother, (who was extremely protective of her girls) showed love and support of her dreams in music by allowing her at this young age to join a band, play at late night gigs, and record at Stax studios. She fell in love with Don Meeks and had two wonderfully made children. Although her music career and life on the road was calling her, she chose to pour her life and commitments into God first and her new family. She decided to limit her singing to the church choir. Her children would stand on the bench witnessing all the people that she would move with her singing. After church, they would tell her about all the people that would stand up and shout as she sung praises to God. Her most popular songs that she led were “Jesus, How I Love Calling Your Name” by Shirley Ceasar, “Holding On To My Faith” by the Mississippi Mass Choir and “Touch the Hem of his Garment” by Sam Cooke. She made sure that her children had a firm hold with God. She had them in Sunday school, choir rehearsals, vacation bible school, and more. She dedicated her life to her family. She instilled essential values such as family connectiveness, being fluid for all situations, keeping a sense of humor, dream BIG, keep moving forward, and staying productive. These are values that she did not just speak on but was also a doer of. In recent years she moved to Atlanta to go to school. During her journey there, she was cast in a new reality show with her son, “Ink, Paper, Scissors” on BET Networks as the voice of wisdom to her conflicted cast members. Aside from that, she worked hard every day in college clinicals making straight A’s at Atlanta Metropolitan College. She was due to finish her degree with Honors in May of 2019. Days ago she was inducted into the National Honor Society of which she would have been so esteemed to discover! In her life’s travels, she found a love for the beach. She felt so peaceful and worry free there and
was amazed by the big ocean, By seeing it, she understood just how powerful God is and that He is in control. Right at the top of the list with her love for her children Donna and DJ, were her grandchildren. She loved being a granny!!! She wanted to be around her grandchildren as much as possible! She has so many hopes for them and just like she poured all of herself into her children, she poured herself into the grands as well. In this, we know her legacy will live on. Some would say the purpose of life is to leave a legacy behind that is meaningful not just to one’s self, but more-so for the ones that you depart. With her boldness, generous heart & countless sacrifices; in her own unique way, Wendi left a legacy that has taught us all what unconditional love truly means.
If you could sum her up in only one word…Forget About it! You can’t!
She is smiling down on…
Her son Donald Perry Meeks Jr., daughter Donna Kaye Jenkins, son in law Sancho Jenkins Sr., grandkids Sancho Jamal Jenkins Jr., Cristian Matthew Jenkins, and Miss Kaylee Nicole Jenkins, and life love Donald Perry Meeks Sr.
Brothers and Sisters: Forest Nichols, Charlie (Ram) Williams Jr., Charlene Williams, Versie Hollingshed, May Ruth Robinson, Calvin Robinson, Barbara Anne Lewis, Sharon Jones, Debbie Ratchford, Calvin Ratchford. Extended Children: Lotoya Alexander, Dominque Bowen, Jerry Harrison, Jabel Hendricks, Shekenya Rodgers, Marquis Blakely, Crandall Craigen, Mike Rouse, Darnell Gooch, Justin Stokes, and Shekenya Downey, and a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends that loved her dearly.
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Memories
Agenda
Viewing 2p - 3p Family Processional 3p Scripture Reading & Prayer............................................Evangelist Charlene Williams Musical Selection...................................................................Veronica “Ronnie” Swan “That Would Be Good Enough”
Tribute............................................................................Tanya Greene (Gwen’s Bestie) Musical Selection.........................................................................Lead: Stacy Marshall “Holding On To My Faith”
Moment of Reflection (Her Life...) Personal Song Recording of Wendi “You Were Always on My Mind” Words of Comfort............................................................................Bishop Ed Stephens Golden Gate Cathedral
Musical Selection.........................................Lead: Kristin Jones and Kristie Robinson “Jesus is the Light”
Eulogy...........................................................................................Dr. Jason A. Mitchell
Perfecting Love Community Church
A Message From The Children..............................................................Donna and D.J. Committal Closing Prayer Recessional
~Acknowledgements ~
The Family wishes to thank everyone for their warm thoughts, prayers and expressions of condolences during thie time of their bereavement. We ask that you continue to keep us uplifted in prayer.
~Active Pallbearers ~
~The Family Gwendolyn Williams
Lemond Walker Darnell Gooch Clarence McFerren Justin Stokes Donald Meeks Jr. Marcus Williams Forrest Nichols (Lil Man) Charlie Williams III (Trey)
Distinctive Services by
3320 Millbranch Rd. | Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” ~Since 1923~
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Designed with Love
Jerry M. Harrison