Deacon Barbara Mae Williams Liston passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2016 after a brief illness. She was born on April 6, 1944 to the late Raymond and Mary Williams in Norfolk County, which is now Chesapeake. In May of 1965, she married her sweetheart, Mr. Fulton Liston, Jr. and together this union was blessed with two children, Darryl and Darlene.

Deacon Liston graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Norfolk State University. She originally retired as an area manager for KFC. She was employed with the Chesapeake Public School System for many years as a teacher, and retired from Rena B. Wright Elementary School in June 2016. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Norfolk State University Alumni, Seniors in Motion, Cuffee Line Dancers, and Chesapeake Silver Strands Committee. She was a member of New First Baptist Crestwood, where she served on the Deacon Board, the Restoration Choir, the Beautification Ministry, and the Missionary Board.

She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Mary Williams; one sister, Arlene Wynn; three brothers, Joseph "Little Joe" Williams, Cleveland Williams, and Melvin Williams. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 51 years, Fulton Liston, Jr.; a son, Darryl Liston; two daughters, Darlene Liston (Weston) and Chantay Lee Epps; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; two nieces she raised, Andrea Williams and Janiene Wilson; two sisters, Edith Drake (Frederick), and Mary Mitchell (Henry); one brother, Raymond H. Williams, Jr. (Wanda); her adopted sister and brother, the Steptoe family, and Mary Haynes. She also leaves five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two nieces, three nephews, four sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, a host of cousins, and friends, Rev. Gloria Myers, Mary Bazemore, Barbara Nixon, Mailey Gainey, Deacon Dovia Griffin, Audrey and Geraldine.

A funeral service will be held 12 noon Saturday at First Baptist Church Crestwood, The Restoration Center. Viewing will be held from 4-7pm Friday at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.