Willa Mae Pharms Passes
After a long life characterized by deep dedication to her family and community and as a fountain of faith, Willa Mae Pharms passed away at noon on Sunday, August 1, 2021. She was at home supported by the prayers of many and surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation for Mrs. Pharms will be held on Sunday, Aug. 8, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Brown's Funeral Home, 627 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids. A celebration service will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday, Aug. 9, at Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, 513 Henry Ave. Attendees are asked to wear masks at all events. The sanctuary will be open to the public for Family Hour beginning at 10:00 AM. Rev. Daniel Smith will officiate. Burial will be at Garfield Park Cemetery following the service.
Willie Mae Collins was born July 2, 1923, in Bryan, TX to Jesse and Lubirdia (Foster) Collins. She grew up in a loving home where she was surrounded by music and books.
She accepted Christ at a very early age and was a member of the church her grandfather helped to build, Clayton Baptist Church in Bryan, TX, which still remains next to her childhood home.
In 1943, Billie met Frank Pharms at her brother's home.
The same year, Frank moved to Tulsa, OK, taking a job on the railroad. They corresponded regularly by mail for a month, after which Frank proposed.
She accepted and joined him in Tulsa, where they married on July 2.
For their honeymoon, they vacationed in Grand Rapids, MI and also visited Frank's relatives. One week later, Frank was offered a railroad position there, which he accepted and they then moved and settled into their new community.
Later would come three wonderful children – Frank, Sonja, and Dorothy.
Billie and Frank agreed that while he worked away from the home, she would work at home raising their children. During this time she participated in the Sheldon School Parent Teacher Association among several other community organizations.
Billie, an early trailblazer of social justice activism in Grand Rapids, advocated passionately on behalf of the community in support of equal rights for everyone. In 1964, she worked alongside the late Ray Tardy and late J.E. Adams, Jr. to plan a place where children could study and have access to healthcare and a range of literature, books, and magazines that she had access to and understood was vital to the healthy development of a child's mind and their exposure to the world. Those plans gave birth to the Kent Community Action Program.
The program would grow to five satellite centers, including the now Kent County Sheldon Complex, where Billie started her twenty-one year tenure as the receptionist and later the Director.
In keeping with her commitment to the betterment of the community, Billie served on several boards and was involved in many organizations, including the Grand Rapids Study Club, the Committee Against Crime of the Grand Rapids Police Department, Den Leader of the Cub Scouts, Elderly Care Program, Hospice of Grand Rapids, Kent County Juvenile Court Advisory Committee, Methodist Community House, Mother's March of Dimes, Planned Parenthood, and YWCA.
She served as a president of various other organizations, including one close to her heart and advocacy for Black Women leaders – the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club. Lastly, Billie served as an elected official for eight years as a Grand Rapids Library Commissioner.
She contributed countless volunteer hours within the Grand Rapids Public School District, and was often called upon as a keynote speaker given her many commitments to the community and her church.
Billie received many awards and commendations over the decades, such as the Certificate of Merit Urban Bible College, Grand Rapids Community College Update Award, Kent County Hispanic Coalition Service Award, NAACP Recognition Award for Outstanding Work in the Community, Outstanding Community Service from Grand Valley State University Office of Minority Affairs, Outstanding Service to the Court and Children from Kent County Court, Sara Glover Woman of the Year, Sojourner Truth Award from the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club Inc., Special Award in Recognition and Support of the Hispanic Senior Citizens, YWCA Women's Recognition Award, Youth Companion Volunteer Award from the Department of Social Services, and the 1995 Giants' Award.
Having joined Messiah Missionary Baptist Church with Frank in 1943, Billie graciously accepted countless honors and recognition for what she saw as her purpose and ministry, where among other things she served on the Baraca Philathea Bible Class ministry and the Willing Worker ministry.
She led as chairperson of the Deaconess Board for over 35 years, and became the longest standing member of Messiah.
She also established ministries still present today, like the first Youth Choir and the first Gospel Chorus.
Balancing out her time spent in ministry, service, and giving to others, Billie enjoyed a good game of dominoes, tournament bowling, and travelling with her family.
Frank and Billie retired in 1984 and 1985, respectively, yet they still participated actively in the local community and at Messiah. Their service since arriving in Grand Rapids reflected their continued commitment to their beloved church and the community that sprung from their faith.
In 1993, they celebrated 50 years of marriage during a momentous family and friends celebration at the Amway Grand Plaza. On May 30, 2006, Billie's love and partner in all things, Frank, departed this life. Together they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.
Billie will be remembered for her dedication to God and her significant contributions to the Grand Rapids community, including her beloved Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids. She had a deep love for her family and friends, and a welcoming nature to anyone who she met.
Those left to celebrate her life include two daughters: Sonja Pharms Beverly and Paul Smith of Grand Rapids, and Dorothy Pharms Johnson of Grand Rapids; grandchildren: Dr. Lailea Noel of Austin, TX, Dana and Nakia Johnson Fair of Ann Arbor, MI, Christopher and Courtney (Pharms) Marks of Bloomington, IL, Daniel and La Tori (Beverly) Metzger of Grand Rapids, Cleveland and Jessica (Orcasitas) Johnson, II of Las Vegas, NV, Jonathan and Brandy (Beverly) Rice of Ypsilanti, MI, and Terry Beverly, Jr. of Grand Rapids; 14 great grandchildren; Godchildren: Judge Marya Nelson of Lansing, MI and Brandon Humes of Grand Rapids; and special neighbors: Marty and Roslin Williams of Grand Rapids; the Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids family; and a host of extended family, close friends, and community members.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Lubirdia Collins; aunt Edna Mae Collins; husband Frank Pharms, Sr.; son Frank Pharms, Jr.; sisters: Rosie Lewis and Edna M. Curry; brothers: Dossie Ellis, Ossie Peterson, Irvin Peterson, and Robert E. Hightower; cousin AC Collins; and Goddaughter Atty. Natalie Overby.
Tagged in: