Francinea A. Williams

Francinea Ann Williams, adoringly monikered, Sweetz and Francine, and gifted to us by way of her loving mother and stepfather, Pecola Lillard and William Lillard, peacefully returned to walk beside Our Heavenly Father on the morning of Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. Born in Alabama on July 10, 1955, Francinea shared her smile, laugh, piece of mind, wisdom, and no-nonsense attitude with us for 69 years, spending her final moments comfortable and deeply loved, in the company of her family. In her early years, Francinea's parents relocated to Bedstuy, Brooklyn, and then again to Forte Green. It was here that Francinea met her childhood sweetheart, Darrell Williams. Francinea attended Bay Ridge High School and graduated in 1973. After some time off, she ultimately furthered her education at St. Joseph's College where she spent 2 years and obtained her associate's degree. In 1973, Francinea joined the working force and began a career at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York as a secretary, devoting 18 years to her employer. On July 10, 1976, on her 21st birthday, Francinea and Darrell wed, and together they moved to a 1-bedroom apartment in Clinton Hills to begin their family and lifelong journey together. Just 3 years later, Francinea began her journey of rearing, nurturing and preparing her 3 children to navigate this physical world with integrity, patience, kindness and love, by giving them the best tools yet: her ever-unconditional love, her unwavering encouragement, her blind support, her unintentional inspiration, and her intentional dedication and devotion. Francinea and Darrell welcomed their first born, Darrell Anthony II in October, 1979, and then their fraternal twins, Michael Alexander and Dominique Alexanderia in March, 1989. Shortly after giving birth to her twins, Francinea relieved herself from the demands of Corporate America, and shifted her focus to caring for her children 24/7 in the comfort of their busy home. Then, in 1997, Francinea put her heels and power suit back on, and returned to work, now for the United Federation of Teachers as an Administrative Assistant. She took great pride in her work, making connections and friendships that lasted her lifetime and impacted those she interacted with, whether by phone, email, or in person. Francinea retired from the United Federation of Teachers after 27 years of service, on August 31, 2024. Francinea was hard working and dedicated to making sure her family had the best opportunities, memories, and experiences. In 2000, Francinea, Darrell, and their 3 kids packed up and moved from a 1 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor in Brooklyn to a 3-bedroom house with 3 floors on Long Island, on their quest to fulfill the American Dream of giving your children the best you never had. Settling in her dream home in Freeport, Francinea took pride in her interior decorating and always finding a home project to start. It is in this very home that Francinea made a family with her husband of 48 years. It was in this home that she readied herself to go marry off her eldest son, Darrell II. It is also in this home that she saw Michael and Dominique off to HS Prom, the home she learned that she would become a grandmother, and then welcomed her only grandson, Jaiden, in 2017, and only granddaughter, Jasmine, in 2020. It is in this home she welcomed her fur grandbaby, Blanket, whom we know is feverishly wagging his tail in anticipation of their first walk in Heaven, and in this home where she prepared her famous potato salad that we couldn’t get enough of. Francinea spent the majority of her life as the Matriarch of her home, caring for her children, speaking wisdom unto those who needed her tongue to guide them, and being a sounding board for those who just needed an ear to listen. She was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, an aunt, a colleague, and a friend. She worked hard, sacrificed for her loved ones and left an impact on friends, and family that will last until we meet her again. Francinea is survived by her husband, Darrell Sr., her children, Darrell II, Michael, and Dominique, her daughter-in-law, Karen, her grandchildren, Jaiden and Jasmine, and a host of friends and family who will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her mother, Pecola Lillard, stepfather, William Lillard, and fur grandbaby, Blanket. Francinea will be laid to rest at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Francinea A. Williams

July 10, 1955 - September 17, 2024