Minister Jonathan E. Williams Obituary (1967 - 2020)

Jonathan Edward Williams was born December 13, 1967 in Washington, NC. He was the eleventh child of fourteen born to Supt. Jesse and Missionary Naomi Williams, the second youngest son of the Williams siblings. He dedicated his life to Christ in his youth and committed his life to God's work and His ministry. Jonathan's musical pursuits began with singing in the youth Sunshine Band choir at Anderson Temple COGIC, where his father was pastor. This is when he first began to develop and nurture his love for directing choirs. By the time he reached his pre-teen years, Jonathan was playing the piano by ear, enhancing his growing musical abilities. Jonathan's high school years were busy ones, beginning with development and arrangement of gospel music for the Seventy-First High School Show Choir. During his high school years Jonathan travelled all over the city performing and ministering in music and was blessed to perform with Twinkie Clark-Terrell of the Clark Sisters and work with the Fayetteville State University Gospel choir. He served as an assistant to both the music department of his home church and to the Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction State Choir. Jonathan joined the US Army in 1989. His service took him many places where he continued his ministry in God's army. He was eventually stationed at Ft. Riley, KS where he was a musician for Bobbitt Temple COGIC. After leaving Kansas, he went to Germany where he became Minister of Music of the Greater North COGIC and managed the Music Department. A few years later, Jonathan became Minister of Music of the Federal Republic of Germany's Jurisdictional Choir for the Churches of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop Carlis L. Moody, Sr. He was responsible for 35 churches and the music for three major conventions every year, which consisted of music for three different choirs. As a soldier, Jonathan earned numerous awards and commendations and was deployed to the Gulf War in Iraq. A little-known history fact is that Jonathan was the first person to ever sing gospel music live at world NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He left the Army in 1995 and came back stateside to continue in ministry. Jonathan reconnected with Bishop Carlis Moody, Sr. and was a faithful member of Faith Temple COGIC in Evanston, IL for many, many years. He was Youth Choir musician and an Assistant to the Sanctuary, Mass and Men's Choirs and also worked with the Northwestern University Chorale Ensemble. Under his direction, they were the featured choir to sing along with the legendary Tramaine Hawkins in 1998 for a tribute to female gospel legends. In 2008, he entered the Voices of Faith Choir in the national "How Sweet the Sound" Gospel Choir competition, winning first place for the Small Choir category and the $10,000 prize. Jonathan spent time in Indianapolis where he ministered at 28th Street COGIC under Supt. Nathaniel Draughn and at HOPE Worship Center under Pastor Ron Pulliam. He was the Charity District Minister of Music and a part of the Indiana 4th Jurisdiction Music Dept. For the last 5 years Jonathan served as musician and Music Director for Full Gospel Deliverance Center in Salt Lake City, Utah under Supt. Jervis E. Lee, Sr. As part of the Utah Jurisdiction COGIC, he served as the State Minister of Music under Jurisdictional prelate Bishop Bobby R. Allen. Jonathan's inherited his mother's renowned cooking skills. He spent years in the kitchen with her learning all of her techniques before attending culinary school to take his skills to the next level. He was an excellent chef and we will all miss his wonderful family meals. All the gifts the Lord bestowed upon Jonathan became the very instruments that brought joy to his life. Jonathan's gift back to the Lord was to share those gifts with God's people while praising and exalting His name. Jonathan was preceded in death by his parents, Supt. Jesse J. and Missionary Naomi R. Williams, and two brothers, Michael Anthony Williams and Baby Boy Williams. He leaves to mourn 11 siblings: Betty J. Mooring (Samuel), Jesse J. Williams, Jr. (Carolyn), Robert E. Williams, Donald A. Williams, Milton R. Williams (Linda), Glenda E. Finney (Donald), Janice M. Williams (James), Vickie A. Nowlin, Cynthia D. Chapman (Willie), Samuel Williams (Felecia) and Wyona L. Williams; his godparents, Elder & Mrs. Joseph Spencer; 3 aunts; 2 uncles; 45 nieces and nephews, 23 great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of cousins and extended family members.