Patricia Jane Williams

Patricia J. Williams, 90, of Hampton, Virginia, a beloved mother, grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025.  Patricia Jane Willingham was born on October 15, 1935 in Elizabeth City County, Virginia to Anderson Willingham and Elsie West. She was raised by her Aunt Marion West Scott, affectionately known as Nurse Scott.   Patricia attended George P. Phenix School located on the campus of Hampton Institute (now University). As a student she played basketball, swam and played softball for Phoebus-Al Conyers. She was a true sports enthusiast who supported her children as they played sports and was in the stands for most, if not all of their games. Her support was their foundation and her legacy and love for sports encouraged them to chase their passions. Boo at St. Joseph University and with his Summer League, Terri at Penn State and a College Coach, Michael as an All-American football player at West Point and Patty as a cheerleader at Phoebus High School. She was there for each of them, as well as her grandson Troy at Indiana and in the NBA. Pat loved sports, enjoyed watching Serena Williams, Venus Williams, The Little League World series, softball games and many women’s basketball games, especially her daughter Terri’s games. She was an animal lover, mostly cats and always had one or two.  Patricia was President of the Pony League and always made sure her Phoebus players were taken care of. She did the score book for the league as well as for the PHS Softball team.  For over 38 years she was the treasure in the Boo Williams Summer League, managed the accounts for all of the teams, kept the scorebook for the Girls 16U team, and was on the bench for every Nike EYBL 16U game. She handled uniforms and counseled girls along with her faithful friends, always willing to help, Rochelle and Chis Gethers. She taught valuable lessons through teamwork, perseverance and unapologetic honesty. Her impact with girls basketball was broad, as there are former players and coaches from coast to coast who remember her fondly as “Mama Boo”.  For her hard work and dedication she received the Special Achievement Award at Headliners Night by the Peninsula Sports Club in 2017. After high school, Pat attended Virginia State College (now University) for 3.5 years. She married Marcellus S. Williams, Sr. and resided on West Taylor Avenue in Phoebus where her children were raised as well as two of her grandchildren. She often talked about her years at Virginia State and through the years she was surrounded by a remarkable circle of friends that shared secrets, adventures, life milestones, and their children. This crew, known as her road dogs, were Mildred Manning (deceased), Irma Jones (deceased), Doris Jarvis (deceased) and Janet Webb. Her best friend and confidante, someone she talked to everyday was her sister n’ law Catherine Smith aka Aunt Cat (deceased). They discussed everything from their kids to their favorite soap opera.   Predeceased by her husband Marcellus S. Williams, Sr., son Michael K. Williams and daughter Marion Patricia Williams (Patty) and her brother Anderson Willingham (Sonny). Her memory will be kept alive by her brother Elmer Jennings (Peewee), son Marcellus S. (Boo) Williams, Jr. (Saunya), daughter Terri R. Williams, Grand children Brooke A. Williams, Troy D. Williams, Maya Patricia Flournoy, Eric V. Flournoy, Jr (EJ); Great Grands, Aviah Williams and Trenton Williams. Sister-n-law, Voncile Willingham and Gwen Jennings-Hill, her favorite son-n-law, Eric V. Flournoy, Sr., and Elizabeth Whiting, her dedicated caregiver, along with so many nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.   Rest in peace Mama Boo -Your love and light will be missed but never forgotten. The family wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of love and kindness, especially from the Boo Williams Summer League family, during this time of bereavement. 

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