The first born son of Mr. Malva Willie Williams and Mrs. Bertha (Bertie) Whitfield Williams, Herbert Braddock Williams met, courted, and married the first born daughter of Mr. Edward Earnest Cox and Mrs. Lillie Parks Cox, who they chose to name Addie Lee Cox. After a routine courtship of four years Herbert Braddock Williams and Addie Lee Cox were united in Holy matrimony on Christmas day (Thursday) December 25, 1924 in the Woodington Township of Lenoir County. The rites were performed by the Reverend Jake Isler and witnessed by Mr. Archie Tice (first cousin of the groom) and Mr. Thomas Ashley (Josh) Kornegay (first cousin of the bride). The hopes of Herbert and Addie to rear a family of their own were growing dim when after more than six years of marriage, they were yet childless. But just then there came a ray of light and they brought forth their first-born son who was followed by other sons daughters. There were thirteen (13) in all and they are:

1. Herbert Edward born July 19, 1931
2. James Odell born March 9, 1933
3. Willie Malva born July 6, 1935
4. John Wesley born May 2, 1937
5. Lillie Bell born February 19, 1939
6. Kenneth Earl born October 23, 1940
7. Ada O'Neill born November 14, 1941
8. Aubrey Nathan born October 30, 1942
9. Brenda Faye born September 27, 1944
10. Evelyn Marie born October 23, 1945
11. Joseph Cordell born October 14, 1946
12. Mildred Lucille born September 2, 1947
13. Edna Grace born October 23, 1948

The family lived in several different locales in and about Lenoir County and always believed that any house could be home as long as the family abided there in love and harmony. This they always tried to do and teach, thus they passed it on to their descendants. The trip of life together for Herbert and Addie began in a small wooden house at Woodington and from there to other parts of the county. They moved from Woodington after the birth of their third child (Willie) to the farm of Brown Williams on US 70 east of Kinston and just west of Southwest Creek where the Shrine Club now stands. This was the home place that saw John Wesley, Lillie Bell, Kenneth Earl and Ada O'neill added to the family. It was also the place where the family circle was first broken. Here Herbert Edward and Lillie Bell, the oldest son and daughter both died. Herbert Edward was the victim of an accident that caused head injuries and died a few days later of a brain tumor. Death came at 2:00 p.m. on June 6, 1937 at Parrot Hospital in Kinston. Lillie Bell died of Hypoglycemia on March 23, 1940.

New life began for the Williams' when they decided to purchase their own farm and moved to that new residence on a cold, C-O-L-D but blissful Friday, January 2, 1942, in the Vine Swamp Community of Lenoir County just north of the Jones County line. At Vine Swamp the family continued to grow. Aubrey Nathan was stillborn on October 30, 1942. Then came Brenda Faye, Evelyn Marie, Joseph Cordell, Mildred Lucille and Edna Grace, all full of life and rounded out the number to thirteen.

Herbert and Addie were both members of the Vine Swamp Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ). Addie had been a member of the Rouse's Chapel Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) at Woodington and served as secretary of the church at the time that she was united in matrimony to Mr. Herbert Williams. She then moved her membership in order that the two could worship and serve in the same church. To them it was important to worship together and rear their children in the same church. For they also believed that "the family that prays together stays together". Each of the surviving children joined Vine Swamp church at early ages and were baptized there.

Mr. Herbert Williams was ordained to the Diaconate (Deacon) of the Vine Swamp Church, Sunday, October 10, 1943 and served the diaconate well for the remainder of his life. At the time of his demise, he was serving as the chairman of that board. Another noteworthy thing about Mr. Herbert Williams was his politeness and mild mannerism which captured and demanded respect as a husband, father, friend, churchman and citizen of his community. He taught, lived and believed that "your word should always be your bond". Thus he was respected as a progressive farmer and earned and honest and decent livelihood for his family. The better years of his life were those of a farmer. He also believed that whatever you did, you should strive to be the best. Often he taught his children:

Once a task is ever begun,
Never leave it 'til it's done.
Be the labor great or small,
Do it well or not at all.

From Vine Swamp, the family moved back to the Woodington Township in 1949 where the farm life was continued to retirement. By this time the children were growing up and began to leave home "one by one". Herbert ended his farming career and moved back into the house where the family lived when Willie Malva was born. After a brief while, Herbert and Addie decided to have a fuller life. They would do something they had never been privileged to do before. They enrolled in Woodington High School and earned their High School Diplomas. They also displayed their great parenting duties again and raised a granddaughter, Yolanda.

The "Highlight" of their lives came for them in 1974 when they celebrated their Golden (50th) Anniversary. The vows were restated at the Vine Swamp Church in a semiformal ceremony with their son, Rev. J.O. Williams, Sr. presiding, while the other sons and daughters made up the wedding party as attendants. The ceremony was directed by Mrs. Josie J. (Mrs. J.O.) Williams. Mrs. Addie Williams said, "These are some of the happiest moments of my life." Mr. Herbert Williams said, "If I could, I would do it all over again." They had talked of wanting a wedding that they they simply could not afford it at the time of their marriage.

The Golden years of their lives were spent in the city of Kinston and there they remained until death. During these years, Mrs. Addie Williams' sight began to fail and after several operations, she was blind. But she still refused to live the rest of her life in darkness. She learned to write, cook, and do general housework. She also learned arts and crafts with a specialty in macrame'. She was proud to make each of her children a macrame' plant hanger, Christmas tree and a handbag for each of her daughters. Still refusing to abide in darkness, she learned to write again and as a result, she produced a masterpiece. She had begun to write her favorite bible verse Psalm 23 and stopped briefly. Later she went back to make a grocery list and it came out as this masterpiece. Even though this was something to laugh at, and we all did, she did not take it as an insult. She laughed harder than anyone else. She knew that we were proud of her efforts and were laughing with her. That's just the type of warm spirit that she had.

Mrs. Addie Lee Cox Williams answered the call to be eternally with her Maker on January 17, 1982 at 9:09 A.M., in the Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Kinston, North Carolina after 75 years, 9 months, and 23 days of life. Her husband, Mr. Herbert Braddock Williams survived more than two years of loneliness but he also realized that life must go on. So with the help of a son, John Wesley and a granddaughter, Yolanda, he was able to find some meaning to his existence. His demise came June 7, 1984, at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Kinston, North Carolina at 9:06 A.M. They were together on earth 57 years and 23 days. Now they are together forever.

The hope that barely existed in the first six years of their marriage became a ray of light and life. They were together long enough to see their ten surviving children grown and making a life for themselves. They also witnessed two other generations of their descendants added to the family.

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Herbert Braddock Williams was the first born son of Malva Willie and Bertha (Bertie) Whitfield Williams. He was born on August 25, 1901 in the Vine Swamp Community of Lenoir County, North Carolina. He received his formal education in Lenoir County, attended old Kinston College but did not complete his studies there. He earned his High School diploma at Woodington High School in 1967.

Mr. Williams was joined in holy matrimony with Miss Addie Lee Cox on Christmas day, December 25, 1924 after a four-year courtship. He was the father of thirteen, three of which preceded him in death. He was a proud father. He taught his sons how to be real men and his daughters were the apples of his eye.

Mr. Herbert Williams was ordained to the Diaconate (Deacon) of the Vine Swamp Church, Sunday, October 10, 1943 and served the diaconate well for the remainder of his life. At the time of his demise, he was serving as the chairman of that board. Another noteworthy thing about Mr. Herbert Williams was his politeness and mild mannerism which captured and demanded respect as a husband, father, friend, churchman and citizen of his community. He taught, lived and believed that "your word should always be your bond". Thus he was respected as a progressive farmer and earned an honest and decent livelihood for his family. The better years of his life were those of a farmer. He also believed that whatever you did, you should strive to be the best. Often he taught his children this verse:

Once a task is ever begun,
Never leave it 'till it's done.
Be the labor great or small,
Do it well or not at all.

He was a chartered member of the St. James Masonic Lodge #66 of Kinston and a Past Master of the said lodge. St. James Lodge ceased to function during the depression of the 1930's and was never re-chartered. He knew and loved masonry, passing much along to his sons after four of them became master masons. He was always very active in PTA organizations where his children attended school. For many years he was president of the PTA at Vine Swamp School and then at Woodington High School. He held the presidency of the PTA for several years and was succeeded by his son James O. Williams. Mr. Williams took on PTA presidency duties again at Southeast Elementary School where his granddaughter attended in the 1970's.

Mr. Herbert Braddock Williams departed this life on June 7, 1984, after a period of declining health. His earthly mission came to an end at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Kinston, NC, at 9:06 A.M. The funeral services were held at the Vine Swamp Church of Christ on Sunday, June 10, 1984 with the Rev. Alex Matthews presiding. The eulogy was delivered by his son, Rev. J.O. (Buddy) Williams who depicted him as a "PRINCE" among men.

Addie Lee Cox was born on Thursday, March 29, 1906 in the Woodington Township of Lenoir County. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. Edward Earnest (Ed) Cox and Mrs. Lillie Parks Cox. She received her formal education in the schools of Lenoir County and earned her diploma at the Woodington High School as an adult in 1967. She had not been able to do so in her youth because of the illness and death of her mother. Being the oldest of her family, she assumed the role of mother and helped to rear her younger brothers and sisters. She was a member of the Rouse's Chapel Church (Disciples of Christ) and served as the church secretary.

In the year of 1920, she met Mr. Herbert Williams who had just moved to the community from Vine Swamp. They courted for four years and were married on Christmas Day in 1924. She was the mother of 13 children and was proud of every one. She boasted that she remembered the date of birth and hour of the day that each one was born. Three of her children preceded her in death.

After getting married, she moved her church membership to Vine Swamp and became active in the life of that congregation and remained loyal to the end. She was a member of the Women's Home Mission Society and served as it's president for several years. She taught Sunday School, was an active and zealous member of the Mother's Board, and supported the total work of the church. She was a member of the Home Demonstration Club of Lenoir County, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and an excellent cook and house keeper.

After several operations and many treatments, she lost her eyesight in 1974. But she refused to let that stop her. So she enrolled in classes for the blind and attended many activities sponsored by the Lion's Club. She had to learn to write again and to read braille for she was determined to live the fullest of life as long as she could. She also learned arts and crafts with a specialty in macrame'. She was proud to make each of her children a macrame' plant hanger, Christmas tree and a handbag for each of her daughters.

Mrs. Addie Lee Cox Williams departed this life on January 17, 1982. Her earthly mission came to an end at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Kinston, NC, at 9:09 A.M. The funeral services were held at the Vine Swamp Church of Christ on Saturday, January 23, 1982 with the Rev. Alex Matthews presiding. The eulogy was delivered by her son, Rev. J.O. (Buddy) Williams

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Rev. James Williams
Rev. James Williams' date of birth is not known but we have ascertained that he died in Lenoir County in 1890. The grandfather of Herbert Braddock Williams, he was an ordained minister and member of the Vine Swamp Church of Christ. He married Mima Graham, fathered seven children and was one of the founders of the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly of the Church of Christ. He lived with his wife until death.

Mrs. Mima Graham Williams
Mrs. Mima Graham Williams was the grandmother of Herbert Braddock Williams. We are not certain of the exact dates of her birth or death. It is thought that she died in 1915. She was the sister of Rev. Frank Graham, founder of Piney Grove Church of Christ of Woodington, NC, and she was the aunt of the Rev. James O. (Jim) Graham. She was the mother of 8 children. The first seven by Rev. James Williams and the 8th by Mr. Jim Parker, her second husband. Her youngest son was James LaSalle Parker.

Mr. Malva Willie Williams (1876-1939)
Mr. Malva Willie Williams, father of Herbert Braddock Wililams, was born May 12, 1876, in Lenoir County, Vine Swamp community. He was the first of seven children by Rev. James Williams and Mima Graham Williams. He married Bertha (Bertie) Whitfield. To this union was born 10 children, 7 sons and 3 daughters. Their children are Herbert Braddock Williams, Paul James Williams, Horace Williams, Etta Mae Williams Cox, Roger Williams, Mima Williams Darden, Malva Williams, John Haywood Williams, Bertha Etorie Williams Battle, and David Freeman Williams.

Mrs. Bertha (Bertie) Whitfield Williams (1878-1928)
Mrs. Bertha (Bertie) Whitfield Williams, mother of Herbert Braddock Williams, was born in the Moss Hill Community of Lenoir County. She was the daughter of Mr. John Haywood Whitfield and Mrs. Hettie Hargarett Whitfield. She married Mr. Malva Willie Williams and was the mother of 10 children. She died on January 18, 1928, at the age of 50.

Mr. Edward Earnest Cox
Mr. Edward Earnest Cox, father of Addie Lee Cox Williams, was born in the Woodington community of Lenoir County. He married Lillie Ella Parks. They were the parents of 8 children: Addie Lee Cox Williams, March Edward Cox, Wyatt Cox, Mildred Lucille Cox Perry, Hannah Cox Sanderson, Willie B. Cox, Gladys Cox King, and Elias Henry Cox. Mr Ed Cox died April 11, 1947 in Lenoir County.

Mrs. Lillie Ella Cox (1888-1924)
Mrs. Lillie Ella Parks Cox, mother of Addie Lee Cox Williams, was born in Lenoir County. She married Mr. Edward Earnest (Ed) Cox. She was the mother of 8 children. They lived in the Woodington community until her death on March 12, 1924. She died at the age of 36 years.


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