Arlenia Williams

Arlenia “Lena” Williams was born on January 18, 1946, at home on Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to the late Robertson Williams and Annie Patten Williams. She peacefully departed this life on January 6, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina.

Arlenia attended Orange County Schools and continued learning through faith and life experiences. Lena was married to Charles Terry Lawrence, Sr., and together they raised five children. She loved her family deeply and unapologetically.

Lena was funny—intentionally and unintentionally. She told stories with sound effects, facial expressions, and side commentary. She believed laughter was good for the soul, right along with food, music and prayer. Her home was a safe space. Neighborhood children, friends, and family were always welcome (unless you came by without calling). If you walked through her door, you were fed—whether you said you were hungry or not. She showed love through talking, listening, and making sure everyone felt seen.

A dynamic woman of many talents, Lena worked as a nanny, a military wife and homemaker, a business owner of Lena’s Maid Service, a seamstress for Durham County Public Schools, and even an ambulance driver—where patients received both care and conversation. She never met a stranger and never wasted a good story.

Lena was an active woman who loved gardening, dancing, and traveling to the beach. She was certified in Reflexology and could be often found mixing home remedies such as teas and foot pads. A master seamstress who could sew anything she put her mind to; she sewed clothes, curtains, uniforms, or last-minute emergencies.

Arlenia was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in February of 1974. Lena loved Jehovah God with her whole heart. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she enjoyed spreading His word and encouraging others. She lived by the scripture, “Study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), and she made sure her children studied. Her favorite song, “Jehovah Is Our Refuge,” reflected the faith that anchored her.

She loved photographs, memories, and storytelling and often spoke of those who went before her such as; her children, Ronald “Chuck” Williams and Gwendolyn Lawrence; her siblings, Lizzie Collins, Jerry Williams, Albert Williams, and Annie “SueSue” Pace Foushee; her sister/cousin Mary Burnette, and many loved ones she carried in her heart daily.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Allison Battle (Jerry) of Chapel Hill; Terri Lawrence-McNair, and her son and best friend, Charles Terry Lawrence, Jr., both of Durham; her daughter/cousin Marion Farrar (Andrew) of Chapel Hill, and her bonus son John Allen of Delaware; her grandchildren, Omolara (Taylor), Nailah, Annakiya, Kamaria, and Naazir, all of Durham ; her great-grandchildren Tyler, Imena, Estelle, Rekia, and Tylia, all of Durham; her siblings Robert Williams, Herbert Williams (Cassandra), Julia Cromartie, Patricia Patterson (Percival), Gloria Jean Irving, all of Durham, Linda McLean (James) of Oxford, Diane Pride (Mike) of Chapel Hill, and John Wayne Williams of Ohio ; her sister-cousin Beatrice Burnette of Chapel Hill; lifelong friends and a village of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family who she loved dearly.

If Lena loved you, you knew it. If she corrected you, you needed it. And if you ate at her table, you were home.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, January 16th, 2026, at 1 PM, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 635 Bon Air Ave, Durham, NC, 27704.

Viewing/visitation will be held on Saturday, January 16th, 2026, at 11 AM, at Walker’s Funeral Home. A visitation prayer service will begin at 12 PM. Interment will occur immediately following the service at Memorial Cemetery located at 1721 Legion Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517.

In lieu of flowers, some have asked how they may continue Arlenia’s legacy of love and care.

If you feel led, the family is welcoming memorial contributions in her memory to support the care of her son, Charles Jr., and the preservation of her family home. Memorial contributions may be made at: GoFundMe.com (Link to be added soon)

Alternately, you can donate to Duke Hospice’s Hock Family Pavilion (https://www.gifts.duke.edu/duke health?designation=211010031-HS&technique_code=DHMM) who took great care of Lena in her final days.

The family is sincerely grateful for your prayers, support, and presence during this time.