"If I can help somebody, as I travel along; If I can help somebody, with a word or song. If I can help somebody, from doing wrong; Then my living shall not be in vain."

On Tuesday evening, June 3, 2025, Pennye Juanita Williams, 64, quietly and peacefully made her transition from her earthly labor to her eternal reward in Framingham, Massachusetts after a brave and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on February 25, 1961, Pennye was a native of Suffolk, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her father, Aulcie T. Williams, Jr.; her mother, Georgia Rose Joyner Williams (Charter Member and First President of the Suffolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.); her brother, Aulcie T. Williams, III; four paternal Aunts, Jessie Williams, Alma Williams Boone, Edith Williams Ray, Margaret Williams Garris; two paternal Uncles, Henderson Williams, Sr, Romie Williams, Sr.; three paternal 1 st cousins, Henderson Williams, Jr., Kenneth Williams, Romie Williams, Jr.; three maternal Aunts, Doris Joyner Brown, Juanita Joyner Harris, Athalia Joyner Richards; and one maternal Uncle, James Joyner, Sr.; two 1 st maternal cousins, Ann Richards Kearns, and Denise Joyner. Raised in a Christian home, Pennye joined and became an active member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Suffolk where she participated in many church activities, most especially the music ministry. She served in the choir, as pianist, organist, and when asked, she served from time to time as choir director. Music was a passion for her, particularly playing the piano.

Pennye was a 1979 honor graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Suffolk where she was active in the school's band program and other school activities. Following graduation, she continued her education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business in 1983. While at Howard, Pennye was a proud member of the "Marching Bisons," playing the clarinet, and often spoke about her time in the band. After relocating to Massachusetts, she entered a graduate program at the McCallum School of Business of Bentley University where she received her Master of Science degree in Finance in 1990.

Upon graduation from Howard, Pennye worked as a Finance Manager for Polaroid Corporation, a position she served in for 24 years (1983-2007). When she finished her work at Polaroid, Pennye worked first as a Senior Finance and Forecasting Analyst and was promoted to Principal Finance and Forecasting Analyst for Sanofi Genzyme where she worked for 12 years (2007-2019). Pennye then would move on to become a Zen Advisor at Modern Acupuncture where she worked for 2 years (2020-2022). She then moved on to become a Member Services Associate and ultimately Member Services Coordinator at MetroWest YMCA in Framingham where she worked for 1 year and 6 months, completing her time there in 2023.

In the spring of 1987, she was initiated as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she was persistently and passionately active for over 35 years. At the time of her transition, she was a member of the South Middlesex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, best known as "The Little Chapter with the Big Heart." She held the positions of president, vice-president, treasurer, financial secretary, as well as many other leadership roles at the chapter and regional levels.

Knowing her need to be connected with a church community, Pennye would find that spiritual home at The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church, "The Church Where Love Abides" in Newton. Joining the church in 1991, Pennye wasted no time at becoming actively involved. With her love and passion for music, Pennye was drawn to the church's music ministry. She was a member of Myrtle Spirituals, and Voices of Myrtle (now known as the Voices of Inspiration), and served as President of the Choir for many years. In addition to the Music Ministry, Pennye also served as Church Treasurer, a member of the Daughters of Myrtle, the History Committee, the Senior BYF Group, and the Finance Committee, becoming the Church's Financial Secretary for nine years, serving from 2009 to 2018. She loved Myrtle Baptist Church.

With a passion for service and serving in the community, Pennye was actively involved in the Framingham area. She served as a Board Member of the MetroWest YMCA for twelve years (2000-2012), and two of those years as a Chair of the Board (2007-2009) and still found the time to participate in as many events and activities as her schedule allowed.

Pennye leaves behind an incredible legacy of love, strength, grace, dedication, and devotion which will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, church, Sorors, and the communities in which she lived and served.

She leaves to cherish and honor her memory: 5 Paternal 1 st Cousins: Shirley Diggs, Glen Allen, Va.; Wayne Willams, Suffolk, Va.; Paula Williams, Suffolk, Va.; Rev. Brendan Boone, Daytona Beach, Fl.; Victor Willams, Barstow, CA.; 3 Paternal 2 nd Cousins: Arleeta Diggs, Glen Allen, Va.; Debbie Diggs James, Virginia Beach, Va.; Davina Woodruff, Suffolk, Va.; 5 Paternal 3 rd Cousins: Aaliyah Diggs Berry, Glen Allen, Va,; Aaron Diggs Berry, Glen Allen, Va.; Michael James, III, Virginia Beach, Va.; Jackson James, Virginia Beach, Va.; Malia James, Virginia Beach, Va.; 6 Maternal 1 st Cousins: Jay Brown – Blairs, VA.; James E. "Jimmy" Richards, Poughkeepsie, NY.; Patricia Lynn Richards- Spruill, Suffolk, VA.; James J. Joyner, Georgia.; Phyllis Joyner-Robinson, Georgia; Michael B. Joyner, Georgia; 9 Maternal 2 nd Cousins: Andre Kearns, Washington, D.C.;
Steve Richards, CA.; Christopher Richards, London, England; Chandra Kearns, Louisville, KY.; Nikki Joyner, Washington, D.C.; Jay Richards, Washington, D.C.; Hashem Makis Joyner, Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Ross Skillern, Saudia Arabia; 8 Maternal 3 rd Cousins: Julien Kearns, Washington, D.C.; Jacques Kearns, Washington, D.C.; Kiran Richards, CA.; Leela Richards, CA.; Alice Richards, London, England; Hashem Makis Joyner, II, Atlanta, Georgia; Millie C. Skillern, Saudia Arabia; 1 Godson: Giovanni Morales, Newton, Ma.; special cousins, The Turner family; childhood neighbor and friend, Orga Boone; circle of friends, Rhonda Smith, Robin Langston Smith, Zenova Byrd Hodge, Rev. Milton C. Williams, Jr., and a host of extended family and adopted cousins, friends, Delta Sigma Theta Sorors, and the Myrtle Baptist Church Family.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to those who served, as Pennye called them, Special Caregiver Angels: June Beth Banks, Julie Nichols-Robinson, Evette M. Layne, J. Tirah Haywood, Elaine N. Thomas, Priscilla Jackson, Helen Jefferson, and Albie Johnson.

The family will be receiving visitors on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. at The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, MA. The Delta Omega Omega Service will be at 2:30 p.m., and The Celebration of Life Service will be at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. Brandon T. Crowley, PhD., will be officiating.

A Graveside Service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Carver Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, where Pennye will be laid to rest with her father, mother, and brother. Rev. Dr. Robert L. Hobbs, Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages anyone who wishes to honor Pennye and her legacy, to make donations to:
The Daughters of Myrtle Herlda Senhouse Scholarship Fund Myrtle Baptist Church 21 Curve Street Newton, MA 02465-2903

MetroWest YMCA, Farmington, MA 280 Old Connecticut Path Framingham, MA 01701-4539

The Pennye J. Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund of the SMCAC of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
South Middlesex County Alumnae Chapter (SMCAC) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
P.O. Box 1194 Framingham, MA 01701-1194

The Georgia R. Williams SAC Scholarship Fund Suffolk Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 3367 Suffolk, VA 23439-3367

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN)
Pancreatic Cancer and the Black Community
https://pancan.org/pancreatic-cancer-and-the-black-community/