Vivian Moore Williams

Vivian “Vip” Rebecca Moore Williams, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on February 11, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 91. She was born on October 25, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida, to William Walter Moore and Mamie Washington Moore.

Vivian’s father, William Moore, served in the military, worked as a Pullman porter, and later owned a local corner store. She was the youngest of her siblings. Though her mother passed away while Vivian was in high school, she remained resilient and determined. With the loving support of her father, she graduated from Stanton High School in 1951.

With her athletic prowess, Vivian earned a basketball scholarship to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A&M). She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in education. After graduation, Vivian married Kelly B. Williams, Sr., and they moved to Plant City, Florida, to begin their careers as educators. They were blessed with three children, Sandra Gale, Kelly B. Williams, and Kenneth Jones.

Vivian was a devoted teacher who spent her entire career in the classroom. She taught as both a special education teacher and a physical education teacher. She worked at Dunbar Elementary School and Hillsborough High School, where she became the first woman to serve as the school’s Athletic Director. She concluded her exemplary teaching career at Plant City High School.

In addition to her dedication to teaching, Vivian was an avid sports fan and fiercely competitive in any game she played. Above all, she loved her family deeply and cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren, sharing her faith in the Lord and imparting life lessons—often with jokes or woven into the many stories she loved to tell. Vivian was also a dedicated member of her church and was proud of her church family and its commitment to the community.

Vivian is preceded in death by her sisters, Rosa Lee Shedrick and Gloria Dean Jefferson. She is survived by her devoted children: Sandra Gale “Sanky” Williams of Peoria, AZ; Kelly B. Williams, Jr. (Leslie) of Tampa, FL; and Kenneth Jones (Wanda) of Ocoee, FL. Additionally, she is survived by her adoring grandchildren: Dominique Neshell DeJesus, Kelli Bianca Williams, Christian Moore Williams, and Shelby Wiegman (David).

Vivian is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews: Charles Shedrick, Darlean Prince, Morris Williams, Jr., Myron Williams, Gina Sanderson, Marcus Williams, Judge Lisa Campbell-Hargrove, and Dr. Sheri Campbell. She also leaves behind dear cousins: Wilma Proctor, Timothy Proctor, Rosalind and Reverend William Robertson, Wayne and Bonnie Proctor, and Liletta Proctor, along with a host of other loving relatives and wonderful friends.

Vivian accepted Christ as her Savior, and we are confident that she is in Heaven with the Lord. We will miss her wit, her smile, her cooking, and her boundless love.

“Her present is our future, and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with her again.”

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