Obituary of Barbara Rambo Williams

OBITUARY – Barbara Rambo Williams – A memorial gathering and Celebration of Life service for Barbara Rambo Williams, 80, of West Columbia, will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday April 21, 2023 at the Three Rivers Room at Laurel Crest Retirement Community, 100 Joseph Walker Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169. Pastor Joel Jones will officiate. 

Barbara Williams passed away April 12, 2023. Born in Orange County, Florida, she was a daughter of the late David Alva Rambo and Kathryn Arnett Mixer.

Barbara wore many hats during her lifetime, which include but not limited to: daughter, sister, physical education teacher, wife, mother, gift shop owner, church youth leader, mother-in-law, friend, grandmother, great-grandmother, office worker, volunteer…the list goes on and on. But, most who knew Barbara well would say, her most prized hats would be that of mother and grandmother/great-grandmother. She had so much pride for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Barbara retired from Southeastern Freight Lines, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.  She was a longtime member of Ashland United Methodist Church in Columbia. Barbara recently moved to the Laurel Crest Retirement Community, where she quickly made many friends and instantly loved the fellowship that she experienced there.

Barbara is survived by her sons, David Williams (Pam) of Pelzer, SC, Robert Williams (MichaelAnn) stationed with the Navy in Singapore, and Jeffery Williams (Denise) of Irmo, SC; sister, Mary Rambo Rau (Ted) of New Mexico, and a large and loving extended family.

Barbara’s grandchildren were the light of her life. They include Matt Williams (Donna) of Tallahassee, FL, Tommy Williams of Jacksonville, FL, Jake Williams of Charlotte, NC, Carson and Kate Williams of Irmo, SC, Ian Phillips of Seattle, WA and Shawn Ashley Phillips of Pelzer, SC and great grandchildren, Max and Luke Williams of Tallahassee, FL.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Larry M. Williams.

Should friends desire, contributions can be sent to Sharing God’s Love, 147 Friarsgate Blvd. Irmo, SC 29063.  Barbara loved her time volunteering there to help people in need.