The Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams, Esq.

Obituary For The Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams, Esq.

As we are celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of The Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams, Esquire we are reminded through his life the truth contained within Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Family and friends, our Heavenly Judge has officially adjourned the earthly courtroom, and The Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams has completed his final, glorious assignment. A faithful servant of the Most High God, a fierce defender of justice, a visionary shepherd of souls, and a pillar of his community, Reverend Williams lived a full, loud, purposeful, and thoroughly blessed life.

Born on April 29, 1952, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, he was the eldest child of the late Reverend Doctor Samuel W. Williams, Jr., and Mrs. Cleo D. Williams. Coming from a rich, multi-generational legacy of gospel preachers—stretching back through his grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Williams, Sr., and his uncle, the late Reverend Isaac L. Williams—proclaiming the Word wasn't just what the family did; it was in the marrow of their bones.

At an early age, Lowell accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, beginning a lifelong walk of profound faith. In January 1967, he planted his spiritual roots at the New Zion Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When the divine call to ministry came, he answered wholeheartedly. Licensed to preach in 1978 and ordained as Assistant to the Pastor in 1980, the pulpit quickly became his second home.

His pastoral journey spanned decades of dedicated leadership, including serving as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Farrell, Pennsylvania, from December 1980 to November 1991, and later being called to pastor the Zion Hill Baptist Church of Youngstown, Ohio, in October 1994, leading his congregations with wisdom and grace. Beyond the pulpit, he developed and taught diverse religious education courses and authored numerous guidelines on church administration, shaping generations of believers.

Education, intellect, and curiosity were his lifelong companions. He was an honor graduate of Langley High School in June 1970 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in August 1973. As a college student, he was chosen as one of only eight students for an exclusive exchange program with East African universities, embarking on an eye-opening adventure across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and various West African and European nations.

Returning stateside, he pursued his passion for the law, earning his Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1976. He later added a Certificate of Merit in 1980 from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary after completing their Black Pastor’s Seminar.

Admitted to practice law by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Reverend Williams was a proud member of both the Pennsylvania Bar and Mercer County Bar Associations. He served his community fiercely as an assistant public defender for Mercer County from February 29, 1988, until he retired on September 4, 2020, and through his private law practice.

His civic footprint was vast and deeply impactful. In 1992, he was recommended to the Governor as a potential District Justice nominee, and in 1993, he was appointed Fair Hearing Examiner for the WIC Special Supplemental Food Program of Mercer County. He also lent his leadership as a board member for the United Way of Mercer County and the Southwest Gardens Economic Development Corporation of Farrell, Pennsylvania, as well as serving on advisory boards for Mercer County Children and Youth Services and the Home Health Agency of the Sharon Regional Health System, as a previous officer and member of the NAACP, and as the only person who has ever held all four officer positions in the Shenango Valley Ministerium.

While titles like Reverend, Pastor, Attorney, and Esquire commanded immense respect, his absolute favorite title in the world was simply Papa. He is survived by his anchor and devoted wife of fifty-one years, Jennifer E. Brooks. His legacy lives on through his children, Tanise Robnett of Chicago, Illinois; Andre’ Williams and Demetrius Williams, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Dr. Shea-Lin and her husband LSC, Ret. USN Sho Shobowale-Benson, II of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Pastor Lowell’s memory will be cherished by his grandchildren Elijah, Makaylee, Antoin, Jordynn, Rashidi, III, Rashod, Addyson, and Aeryn, alongside his great-grandson Josiah. He also leaves precious memories with his siblings, Sonya Cotten, Vanessa Williams, Samuel W. Williams III, Lisa Williams, and Angela (Elton) Allen; mother-in-law, Emeritus District Missionary Mildred Brooks; in-laws, Carolyn and Dru Joyce, II, Michael Brooks, and Rev. Dr. Cleo (Kim) Brooks, Jr.; along with aunts, uncles, a mountain of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and countless friends.

As Reverend Williams’ faith became sight on Sunday, July 19, 2026, he joins in eternity his beloved parents, son Aaron J. Williams and father-in-law Elder Cleo A. Brooks, Sr. What a glorious reunion they are having in glory!

Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams ran his race with unmatched vigor, kept the faith until the very end, and proved that a life surrendered to God can move mountains. Don't spend too long lingering in the valley of sorrow, keep your hands on the plow, fix your eyes on the heavenly choir, wipe those tears with praise, and know that while earthly court is adjourned, his eternal worship service has just begun!

In honor of Pastor Lowell T. Williams' life and contributions, on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM a public viewing will take place at New Hope Baptist Ministries, 370 Spruce Avenue in Sharon PA. Following the viewing, a Celebration of Life Service, with Pastor Clevon Duke serving as the eulogist and Rev. Dr. Cleo Brooks, Jr. as the officiant, will commence at 12:00 noon, providing an opportunity for friends, family, and community members to pay their respects and honor his life.

Pastor Williams will be formally laid to rest on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, with a committal ceremony, at 11:00 AM, at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, 509 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA. May Pastor Lowell T. Williams find eternal peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all whose lives he touched.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Reverend Lowell Terrance Williams, Esq. elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements for a caring farewell to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 1059 Hamilton Ave, Farrell, PA 724.983.1523

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