Fabienne J. Williams

Fabienne J. Williams of Columbus, Ohio passed away at her residence on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 after a long, courageous battle against cancer. Fabienne was born to Clarence B. and Jeanette T. Johns on July 27, 1955 in Jamaica, New York, and is preceded in death by her father. A very gifted individual both academically and artistically, Fabienne completed her undergraduate studies at Hampton (Institute) University in Hampton, Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. She completed her Master of Science degree in Library Service at Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, following in the footsteps of her mother, Jeanette T. Johns, and her brother-in-law, Rodney Marve. She was happy to be able to compare careers with them from time to time. Her first job in that field was with Payne Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, and later on she moved to Columbus, Ohio, after being employed by Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) in Dublin, Ohio, where she was a Product Support Specialist and Senior Project Manager. In the early stages of her career, she assisted college libraries in converting their card catalogs into digital-based catalogs. Each task was enormous and time-consuming. It required her to travel to a college, explain the process to them, and later return to that college to establish the system. She also was prepared to answer all related questions after returning to her desk at OCLC. Once when no one else on staff was willing to tackle a request from a library in France, she volunteered to try it on the basis of her high school French experience. She was quite successful in getting that extremely difficult task completed. It was an exciting time for her, but by then she had met and married Sherman Steve Williams and decided that travel would no longer be a part of her job description. They were married for 24 years and this marriage produced a set of twins, Michelle and Sherman, who have brought joy to all of their family members. The twins are now about to complete their final year of college at their respective schools: Michelle at Columbus College of Art and Design and Sherman at The Ohio State University. Fabienne was truly a compassionate and giving person. Her interest in the advancement of young people was shown by her work with Big Sisters. Through the organization she bonded and interacted with a youngster by planning various uplifting and educational experiences for the child. Fabienne was always mindful of others, and wanted to see everyone around her reach their fullest potential and lead happy, extraordinary lives. In her spare time, Fabienne found outlets for her creativity in her crochet and knit work and the occasional Do-It-Yourself project. She also enjoyed going to the movies, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Sherman S. Williams, Sr.; daughter, Michelle I. Williams; son, Sherman S. Williams, Jr.; mother, Jeanette T. Johns; sisters, Cynthia (Rodney) Marve, Felicia Johnson; brothers, Clarence Buddy (Rhonda) Johns, Reddick (Tracie) Johns; sisters-in-law, Deborah (Johnny) Terrell, Janet Carter, Philipa (Phillip) Young, April (Harold) Wilson, Maria (Carlton) Travis; brothers-in-law, George (Jackie) Williams, Tyrone Williams; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family, and friends. Additionally, the family wishes to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has reached out to our family and offered condolences, and express our gratitude to the staff at James Cancer Hospital at Wexner Medical Center.