Obituary

Verna E. Williamson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1939.  Verna was the second of five children born to Frank and Onezia Haywood.  In 1943 the family migrated to Vallejo, California where she attended local schools, graduating from high school in 1957.  In 1958 Verna met and married the love of her life, Robert (Pat) L. Williamson.  From that union three children were born, Johnny (Ricky), Robin, and Gregory.

Verna accepted Jesus Christ in 1969 and was baptized at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church by the late Horace J. Morris.  Since her husband Pat was in the United States Air Force, the family traveled many places for many years.  During their years of traveling and after raising her children to adulthood, Verna went back to school receiving a degree in Business Management.

In 1987, her older and only sister Yvonne (the sister she adored) became ill.  This caused Verna and Pat to relocate back to Vallejo where they both rejoined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Carroll Broadfoot Jr.  From 1987 until June 2015, Verna was a devoted member of Friendship, working in many ministries of the church.

For many years Verna taught the Tuesday Morning Bible Study Class; she and her husband Pat co-taught Sunday Church School for high school students; they led the Daily Prayer Ministry; Verna was also a member of the Deaconess Ministry; the Seniors Ministry; the FMBC Food Pantry; Missionary to Haiti; and many other ministries.

After moving to Goodyear, Arizona in 2015, Verna and her husband Pat attended desert Springs Community Church where they became members under the leadership of Pastor Steve Ingram in May of 2018 where they remain faithful members to this day.

Preceding her in death are her parents Frank and Onezia Haywood, and one sister, Yvonne N. Burton.

Verna is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years Robert (Pat) of Goodyear, Arizona, three children Johnny (Ricky) (Patricia) of Goodyear, Arizona, Robin L. Hawkins (James) of Woodbridge, Virginia and Gregory K. of Kissimmee, Florida, three brothers, Frank of Fairfield, California, Alvin of San Jose, California, and Ronald (Sandra) of Vacaville, California, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.