Josephine Bell Williams was born the second daughter of Rosie Lee Bell Gaiters on April 28, 1931, and lived with her parents, Essick and Rosie Lee Gaiters, while attending school in Bronwood Georgia.  In her mid to late teens, she moved to Wildwood, Florida to live with her uncle, Essie Bell and his family.  Later, she moved into her own place while working as a house maid.  After spending a number of years in Wildwood, she moved to Newark, New Jersey where her older sister, Precious Lee, had established residence.  She lived in Newark and East Orange, New Jersey for the next 50 plus years.  There she met and married her late husband, Robert (Bob) Williams.

During her stay in New Jersey she worked as a maid for various wealthy families.  She took with her from Georgia the cooking skill that runs in her family and used it to cook for the families that employed her.

In 2007 after being away for more than 60 years, she decided to return home to Bronwood, Georgia.  She later moved to Albany, Georgia and settled there.

Josep hine took pride in being a very good cook; she especially enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.  Her collard greens, ham hocks, fried chicken, barbecued ribs, sweet potato pie, etc.  were something to live for.  Additionally, she loved to go shopping, to travel (she made her last trip a couple of months before she died).   She also, enjoyed spending time with her family.  Although she did not have any children of her own, she was very caring for her younger brothers and sisters as well as her nieces and nephews.   She was always willing to give of herself to help family members whenever there was a need.   She instinctively assumed the role of second big sister which sometimes might have been misinterpreted as being a little bossy but this was done out of love, a trait that was instilled in her by her mother, that the older should look after the younger.  So, even when met with resistance, it did not damper her love and desire to help her family.   She loved to the end and will be dearly missed.

On Sunday morning, July 7, 2019 Josephine passed away peacefully after being in the hospital and rehabilitation center for a little over a month.  She professed a deep reverence for God and his word the Bible.  We eagerly await the realization of the prophetic promise of Job 14:14, 15 (kjv) "If a man die, shall he live again?  All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (15) Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands."

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by three siblings, Precious Lee Anderson, Essick Gaiters, Jr., and Henrietta Williams; and her niece and nephews, De'Andrea Craddock, Lawrence Anderson, and Dwayne Cook.

She is survived by six siblings, Hollis Gaiters, Mary D. Gaiters, Leroy Gaiters, Rosemary Cook, Larry Gaiters, and Lenora Brown; a loving companion, Freddy Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.