Carrie Williams (50 over 50 Vol. 2)
"Live anyway.”
In her confident and melodic voice, Carrie shared this simple yet powerful piece of wisdom as we sat together in the studio, preparing for her upcoming photoshoot. "Live anyway"—meaning, no matter what life throws at you, you keep going. You breathe, you work, and you stop focusing on what’s holding you back.
Though she approached the photoshoot experience with some hesitation, Carrie recognized it was time for a change. She needed to do something different—something for herself.
“I saw the entire photoshoot as phenomenal,” she reflected. “I hadn’t done anything like this since my days in style shows years ago. It gave me—and every participant—a chance to see ourselves in a new light. And light reflects. When others see that light, they might just be drawn to it too.”
Carrie's radiance isn’t just skin-deep. Members of her church, Mount Olive Baptist, speak of her with deep admiration:
“She is a shining example of fearlessness, strength, and love. Despite the trials she’s faced, she has remained a steadfast woman of faith. She inspires me—and so many others—every day with her grace, her resilience, and her unshakable faith in Christ. Even when she carries her own burdens, she lifts others up. That speaks volumes about her character. She shows us what it means to truly trust God, to lean on Him, and to be a beacon of light in a world that can sometimes feel very dark.”
“I've dealt with change throughout my life like many others. I have learned over the years that adapting seems to be a bit more difficult than accepting. Accepting that children grow up, issues change on your job, best friends move, and love ones pass away comes easier for me than adapting. I have found it takes much processing and pray to adapt to that type of change.
Love matters so much. Through everything, my love for those who’ve passed hasn’t diminished. But I must also share that love with the living. Life changes. And nothing stays the same,” she says.
Carrie goes on to explain, “The happenings in life you don't expect seem to be the ones that actually land in your lap. I have experienced indirect and direct care giving. It took me awhile to notice I was being prepped for the long-haul of this position. It began in 1984, a year after I married and moved from East Chicago to Richmond, with my paternal grandmother. As time went on, eventually my husband required to be assisted due to various medical issues. Due to some of his medical limitations I stood in with a few other family and friends to help care for his mother. While this time overlapped, I was a long-distance care giver along with some friends and family for my mother in East Chicago until she moved to Richmond and then a direct care-giver with her for about seven months. The title of being a "care giver" did not really come alive until I noticed it has been the one constant happening while I was employed for 38 years as a Speech-Language Therapist, being a wife and mother, but most of all this entire time as a Christian—--a believer in God. Yes, this has impacted my life, but I have made it anyway just not because of "MY WAY". Everyone is chosen by God to handle a particular "something". This was definitely a turning point for me. I did not imagine this would be my responsibility handed down from the Lord. Initially, I felt like I was being punished. However, it finally dawned on me that I was the one that God trusted to do this task. I have grown and I can celebrate because in the end I share joy!”
Carrie mentioned that being a seasoned member of our culture impacts her in positive ways. “I’ve learned so much—and I’m still learning. I have to keep learning, because the world doesn’t stop changing,” she says.
““Losing loved ones changes everything—sometimes in small ways, sometimes in ways you can’t even name. That’s why love matters so much. Through it all, my love for those who’ve passed hasn’t diminished. But I’ve learned I must also share that love with the living. Life changes. And nothing stays the same,” she says.”
Now 68, Carrie embraces this stage of her life with gratitude and peace.
“The best thing about being this age is knowing I am a child of God who loves me unconditionally. I am healthy, I’m retired, and I’m surrounded by my immediate family—my husband, my son, and my daughter. Each day, I grow more grateful for the gift of life and the value of time.”
What would I tell my 20 year old self?
There is no one like family. No matter whose side they’re from, cherish them, enjoy them, LOVE them. Love covers all faults.