Evangelist Rebecca Arletha Earnestine Mims Williams, 60, of Palatka, answered her Masters call to enter eternal rest on Friday, September 24, 2010 at Haven Hospice of the Lakes-Roberts Care Center following an extended illness. Rebecca, the daughter of William Mims, Sr., and Iola Mickles Thomas was a native of Waycross, Georgia, born Sunday, October 16, 1949. In 1953, at the early age of four, her family relocated to Palatka, where her beloved parents, Henry and Iola Thomas, raised her. Rebecca was a 1968 graduate of Central Academy High School. Earnestine was a licensed cosmetologist, certified nursing assistant and a social services provider.

Earnestine loved the Lord and faithfully served him at H. T. Christian Center, where she served as an Evangelist. She enjoyed fishing and shopping and was a passionate bargain shopper who especially loved thrift stores and garage sales. She really loved spending time with her family.

Rebecca was preceded in eternal rest by her father, William Mims, Sr.; mother, Iola Mickles Thomas; brothers, William Mims, Jr., Isaac Mims and Henry Thomas, Jr.; Sisters, Betty Mae Connors and Brenda T. Valentine.

She leaves to cherish her memories, sons, Cedric (Caress) McCoy, Sr., Lady Lake, FL., John W. Smith, Jr., Palatka; devoted daughter, Lisa Matthews, Palatka; father, Henry (Roxie) Thomas, Sr., Palatka; brothers, Willie (Annie Mae) Battles, Johnson, Timothy (Pamala) Thomas, Sr., Frank (Brenda) Cooper, Cecil (Cathy) Thomas, all of Palatka; Kenneth (Angela) Thomas, San Antonio, TX; sisters, Nora (Bobby) Walker, Muskegon, MI, Pearlee Youman, Palatka; Sandra (Victor) Peeples, Palm Coast, Elizabeth (Wylie) Shingles, Pamela (Arthur Sr.) Ward, all of Palatka, Jodie Mims, Buffalo, NY, Marsha Miller, Linda (Jimmy) Taylor, Rose Lewis, and Gwen Harrell, all of Palatka; step-daughters, Carolyn Jones, Dora McNeil and Doris Samson, all of Palatka; step-son, Lloyd (Charlene) Smith, Bunnell; step-brother, LePrecious Jones; Sister-in-law, Bonnie Mims, Buffalo, NY; 10 grandchildren, 15 step grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and caring friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Friday (Today) October 1, at The Chapel of Serenity.

Homegoing services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, October 2, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue Street, Palatka. Rev. Karl N. Flagg, pastor. Pastor Rutha Murray, H.T. Christian Center is officiating. The cortege will assemble at the Williams family resident, 2616 Catherine Street at 1:20 p.m. Saturday.

Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.