The Lord sent a beautiful baby girl into the lives of her parents, Charles Dewey and Lynne Rochelle McGraw Williams on December 11, 1976 in Dallas, Texas.  Her father named her Charity Nichole.  “Charity” was the perfect name for this child because she was full of love.  From the beginning of her life, Charity was full of life and had a bubbly personality.  She was educated in Dallas, Texas through the eighth grade, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado.  She graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1995. 

Charity attended Paine College in Augusta, Georgia.  During that time she mysteriously started having seizures.  In the face of many visits to doctors, hospitals and even with surgery, the sudden onset of epilepsy was never explained.  Charity's best friends, Mikelyn, Shaquana and Takietha took very good care of her while she was there, and continued to remain friends with her throughout the rest of her life.  Her friends are pictured in the Photo Album.

In spite of her illness, Charity’s personality never changed, and she never complained.  She was a living testimony.

Her friends knew her as ‘Tigger’ for her shining bouncy personality.  She always brought smiles to every conversation and situation.  If there was a problem or sadness, she could always come up with a funny face or silly joke to lighten the mood.  Most people didn’t know her more mellow side when she liked to sit and watch cartoons, but she was still always upbeat. 

Charity accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 8 and served Him faithfully until her home-going.  She used her musical talents to enhance praise and worship in the churches where she served, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, New Hope Baptist Church and Abundant Life Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado.  Wherever she served, she always kept the choir members in line.  She got that trait from her grandmother, the late Iva Lois Wiggins and her mother Lynne.

Despite her illness, Charity never lost her bubbly personality or her upbeat attitude.  She also never wavered in her faith in God.  This is the last entry in her journal:

    There have been times lately when I get frustrated about different things.  It could be about this judge I have for SSI stuff is trying to be as cheap as possible.  Sure I want to take that frustration out on him, but I know that won’t help my situation.  So I say, “Hallelujah anyhow”.  My frustration could be about the doctors who don’t know what to do and tell me that they’ve run out of options.  But if I had seizures regularly, I’d be doing a whole lot worse than I am now.  So I say “Hallelujah anyhow”.

I may get frustrated about my memory loss.  Sure there are folk who are surprised that I have no recollection of who they are.  But if I was doing a lot worse, I’d most likely not remember my family.  I can’t fathom that.  I thank God for giving me the strength to keep me from losing my memory completely.  “Hallelujah anyhow”.

 I was feeling quite low, but the Lord knew when I needed revival.  I thank Him for bringing Rev. Britt here and for speaking through him.  Even when he was getting hoarse, he thanked You for allowing him to be able to lean on You.  He said “Hallelujah anyhow”.  That filled my soul and still does.  So, whatever I go through, either good or bad, I’ll say “Hallelujah anyhow”!

May 27, 2004

We, her family and friends will always remember Charity and praise God that He allowed Charity to minister to us through her life.  In spite of having heavy hearts and missing her, we say what she said: HALLELUJAH ANYHOW!!!!!!