Francine Sutton Williams

With heavy hearts, we, the Staff and Management of R. Swinson Funeral Services, along with the Williams Family, announce the transition of 83-year-old Mrs. Francine Williams of Kinston, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

Service will be held :

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM (EST)

Location:

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

230 Wood Ave

Hyde Park, MA 02136

Zoom

Meeting ID# 612 731 0477

Passcode# 001935

Francine Williams was born on May 25, 1942, in Kinston, North Carolina, to Thomas and Annie B. Sutton. Francine grew up with nine siblings. She often spoke of her four brothers with tremendous respect, admiration, and appreciation. They played a key role in infusing her personality with confidence and straightforwardness, in the absence of her dad Thomas, who died when she was a young girl. Francine had the same level of appreciation for her oldest sister; each was a valuable resource to her as she navigated her earlier years.

Francine’s relationship with her youngest sister, Annie, was marked by an unbreakable bond from childhood through adulthood, to her last breath. Francine and Annie lived across the street from each other in Boston, MA, while raising their children. They at times worked secular jobs together. When they became empty-nesters and retired, they relocated to Kinston, NC, and lived around the corner from each other. Francine’s greatest influence growing up was her mother.

The expression Francine often used was “My mother is Annie B. Sutton,” which validated what was being said, emphasized what she could accomplish, and highlighted a certain standard.

After graduating from Savannah High School, Francine met Jasper E. Williams.

They dated for 2 years, married, and spent the next 65 years together. Francine and Jasper began family life with the birth of their first child in North Carolina. Shortly thereafter, they relocated to Boston, MA, where they added two more children to the family fold. They built a loving home filled with open communication, laughter, music, celebrations of each other, and tasty food.

Francine fostered a home environment of encouragement, supportiveness, individual consideration to each person, loving guidance, and correction when needed. She exhibited the same spirit and energy towards her daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Always excited to see, hear, and welcome each, regardless of whether it has been years, months, weeks, or just the prior day. A pivotal time in life occurred in 1977 when Francine and Jasper were baptized together as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Francine was an avid reader of the Bible, along

with her monthly subscriptions to the Watchtower and Awake magazines. She enjoyed singing the Kingdom melodies, preparing for the weekly meetings, and taking notes at meetings.

On September 1, 1986, Francine began her career as a full-time regular pioneer and continued for over 39 years. Pioneering proved to be the gateway that enabled her to expand her family-like approach to those in the congregation and to those she met in the community through her ministry. Francine resolved to give Jehovah her best, showing love, kindness, encouragement, and support to all!

Preceded in Death by:

● Parents: Thomas and Annie B. Sutton

● Siblings: Ernestine (Chip) Manley, Hazel (Isaac) Joyner, Ermadene (William) Fuller, Myrtle Jean (Robert) Nobles, Earl Edward Sutton, Theodore (Ethel) Sutton, and Raeford (Peggy) Sutton.

● In-Laws: Dorothy Sutton and Iredell Tilghman.

Survived by:

● Husband: Jasper E. Williams

● Children: Yalonda Horsley, Rico Williams (Sheila), and Paree Pinkney (George).

● Grandchildren: Kamilia, Orienthiel, Jarred, and Tynera.

● Siblings: Lafayette Sutton and Annie D. Tilghman.

● Extended Family: Her nephew Therman, twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends