Edith Williams Centonze

Pelham, NC - It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Mrs. Edith Williams Centonze of Pelham NC, who passed away on Thursday, December 01, 2022; in the Annie Penn Hospital, Reidsville, NC.

Edith was born January 16, 1957, as the third child to Effie Mangum Williams and the late Ernest Edgar Williams, Sr.; where she was a native of Caswell County, NC.

Edith was a Class of 1975 graduate from Bartlett Yancey Senior High School, in Yanceyville, NC.  She continued her education at Piedmont Community College, in Roxboro, NC and Greensboro Technical Community College, in Greensboro, NC; where Edith received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. 

Edith was an employee of the Williamsburg Burlington Industries Plant before relocating to Fort Lauderdale, FL to work for the Health and Rehabilitation Services as a Social Worker. She later worked for 27 years until her retirement with the Florida State Department of Corrections as a Probation Officer and eventually as the Probation Officer Supervisor. 

While living in Florida, Edith married Robert Centonze and they served faithfully at the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church; where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and a member of the choir. Edith later joined the Hope Well Missionary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach, FL, where she served as a greeter. After retirement Edith relocated back to Caswell County, NC; where she joined Gwynn’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; and she served as a Deaconess and Sunday School Teacher until her declining health.

Edith was a devoted wife, mother, loving daughter, and sister. During her long-term illness, Edith never lost her faith in God or her praise for the Lord. Her praise and worship were continuous.

In addition to her father, Ernest Edgar Williams, Sr., Edith was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Edith Williams; maternal grandparents, McCalther Mangum and Lucy Turner Mangum Slade; one brother, Ernest, Jr; five uncles, John, Thurston, Walter, Percy, and Larry Mangum.

Mrs. Edith Williams Centonze leaves to cherish her memory, to her loving husband, Robert Centonze of the home; her two children, Melvin Williams (Tawny) of Temecula CA, and Gabrielle Pitt Johnson (Wayne) of Plantation, FL; her mother, Effie Mangum Williams of Yanceyville, NC; her two sisters: Connie Williams Covers, of Burlington, NC and Veronica “Ann” Williams Rodgers (Ronell), of Danville, VA; her four brothers: Thomas Williams (Virginia), and Barney Williams (Brenda), all of Ruffin, NC; Jeffrey Williams (Tina), of Danville, VA and Carlton Williams (Shelia), of Burlington, NC; two grandchildren, Melvin Williams, Jr., of Temecula, CA, and Arianna Jones, of Plantation, FL; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates, and cherished friends.

A viewing for Mrs. Edith Williams Centonze will be Friday, December 09, 2022; from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the John and Juanita S. Fulton Memorial Chapel of Fulton-Walton Funeral.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Edith Williams Centonze will be Saturday, December 10, 2022; at 11:00 a.m. at Blackwell Baptist Church, Yanceyville, NC; with Family Visitation from 10:30 -11:00am.

Interment will follow at Blackwell Baptist Church Cemetery in Yanceyville, NC.

*(FACIAL MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SERVICES)*

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