Rev. Bernadine Ann Thomas-Williams was born on November 14, 1943 in Winston

Salem, North Carolina to the late William Andrew Thomas and Phyllis Lovelace. Rev.Bernadine was raised in a home where the love of God, family and education were very important. During her early years she attended church  Sunday school and was active as a girl scout.  

 

Rev.Bernadine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from North Carolina Central University, and a Masters’ degree in Social Work

from  the University of Connecticut Hartford, Connecticut.During this period, Rev. Bernadine

became a member of the Delta Signa Theta Sorority, University of Bridgeport campus.

Later, she was certified by The Academy of Social Workers as a social worker qualified for

self regulated practice according to academy standards and authorized to use the designation

ACSW.

 

Rev. Bernadine was united in matrimony on August 4,1984 to Robert J.Williams, Jr.  for 41 years.During  this union, we adopted Crystal Marie Williams in 1991.

 

During her 40 year career as a Social Worker,

Rev.Bernadine was employed in a variety of

diversified settings: at Family Children  Services

in Connecticut, she  implemented intervention strategies to address social, psychological and

mentally ill issues; at New SYork City Board of Education, she addressed issues related to teen age pregnancy; and at Borough of Manhattan

Community College, she dealt with students on academic probation and students with disabilities. Rev. Bernadine was advocate for  social justice.

 

In 1976, Rev.Bernadine joined Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Robert Perry. She served on the Board of Christian Education and was the editor of the church’s newsletter. In 1985, she joined Bridge Street AWME Church under the leadership of Rev.Dr.Fred A.Lucas. Rev. Bernadine was a member of the Ethylene Henderson Missionary Society,Free Food Program,Prison Ministry and a Genealogy group. She was Vice President of the Senior Citizens Program and coordinated a Food Stamp Grant.                                                             

 

In 2014, Rev.Bernadine received a call from God to become a minister. She enrolled in New York

Theological Seminary and earned a Masters’ degree in Divinity.In 2015, she joined Brooklyn Community Church under the leadership of  Rev. Dr.Fred A.Lucas. She taught the New Member Class, served as advisor to the Family Ministry and later was honored with a service award.

Rev.Bernadine was ordained as a minister by Rev. Dr.Fred Lucas on October 23, 2016.

 

Rev. Bernadine enjoyed dining at famous restaurants and going to museums, plays,

concerts and operas. She also enjoyed traveling to cities within the United States and to the Caribbean- her favorite place was Jamaica.

 

Preceding her in death was Crystal Marie Williams and sister-in-law Rev. Ramona T. Black.

 

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of fourty-one years, Robert J.Williams,Jr;  sister-in-law Joyce Williams, niece Shanice A. Williams,

two nephews,Rashawn I.Williams and Antoine J.

Williams; adopted daughter Alexandra Mohamed and son Noah; four nieces,Evangelist Andreyah M. Black, Chery T. Black, Pastor Almetra Black and Kisha R. Black, two grand nieces, Devoria T.

Black and Chaynna Macon; Adopted Sister Alfreida Brown, God daughter Kaniesha Branham, two nieces, Fonda B.Salley and Shaylethia B.Williams, nephew Terrance Brown;

nephew Chris Ferguson and a host of great-nieces, great nephews, cherished cousins, special friends, Brooklyn Community Church Family and

Bridge Street AWME Church Family.

“The  Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 118:6