Tracy Lauren Williams
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce that Tracy Lauren Williams passed July 2, 2026, at Hospice of Butler & Warren County in Franklin, OH at the age of 65 years.
Tracy was born in Dayton, OH and raised in Edgemont. She attended Whittier Elementary School and Dunbar High School, graduating in 1979. She went on to attend Howard University and remained in Washington D.C. where she later obtained a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems. She later moved to Cincinnati, OH where she began working as an IT Project Manager for Cincinnati Bell. Her career eventually took her to Paris, France for two years where she further pursued her love of traveling and experiencing new people and cultures.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Hurd Williams, brother, Donovan L. Williams, two grandmothers, Estelle Cleveland Williams and Velma Hanna Dizard, grandfather Jack Hurd, uncle Harold Williams and aunt Betty Williams Cross, cousins Sylvia A. Williams, Kermit Brown and Elliot Brown.
Tracy leaves behind her father, Lucius Williams, one brother, Ertel Williams, one son, Brandon Williams, Brandon’s father, Kyle Rakestraw, aunts Geraldine Brown and Delores Williams, sister-in-law, Annette Williams, one niece Courtney Williams and two nephews, Donovan Jr. and Joshua Williams, as well as many cousins and friends from throughout her life.
Timeline
1961
January 16th
Born
Betty and Lucius Williams welcome their third child, Tracy Lauren Williams into the world. Younger sister to Donovan and Ertel.
Dayton, OH
1979
Howard University
Tracy excitedly leaves Dayton, OH to begin college at Howard University!
Washington, D.C.
1991
December
Birth of her only child, Brandon
Tracy gave birth to Brandon at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.
Cincinnati, OH
2000
June
Tracy moves to Paris, France
Tracy accepted a position to move to Paris, France where she continued her career and began exploring Europe!
Paris, France
Gallery
Memory wall
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July 16, 2026
Though we met as Colleagues, our shared life experiences and mutual Friends quickly made it feel as though we had known each other much longer. Tracy brought a directness combined with good flavor of wisdom and joy to every conversation- whether it be work-related or our shared love of jazz music.
My heartfelt condolences to Brandon and the entire Williams Family. You are all in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
My heartfelt condolences to Brandon and the entire Williams Family. You are all in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
July 16, 2026
Brandon, Mr. Williams, Ertel, and Family. . My condolences go out to you.
Tracy and I were friends for over 37 years. We traveled together and shared many wonderful experiences. She lived a life to be admired and touched many people with her devotion, love, and kindness. I will forever miss her and am honored to have known her.
Eileen Cunningham
Tracy and I were friends for over 37 years. We traveled together and shared many wonderful experiences. She lived a life to be admired and touched many people with her devotion, love, and kindness. I will forever miss her and am honored to have known her.
Eileen Cunningham
July 15, 2026
I met Tracy at O. W. Motivational Inc. where our children, Hope and Brandon were enrolled! The program, founded by Obadiah Williams Ph.D. was created to help parents and caregivers stimulate their children toward learning! I taught Brandon and Hope during the first phase of the program and Dr. Williams taught the second phase “Reading” with Phonics! Tracys’ enthusiasm for Dr. Williams and the program spread unquestionably as he placed an intrinsic desire to learn within a host of children. Brandon and Hope enrolled at Seven Hills, became friends, graduated and their friendship remains! We love Tracy and Brandon, in Jesus’ Name!!!!!!!
July 14, 2026
I knew Tracy for a long time and she was a wonderful person. I wish I’d had more time to know her as my cousin, but I’m grateful we shared blood and memories. Sending my condolences to all of her family May God bless her soul and welcome her into heaven.
July 13, 2026
I had the privilege of working alongside Tracy for four years, and she was one of the best workmates I’ve ever had. We clicked right away — we worked in such similar ways, and being from Dayton didn’t hurt either.
I’d always find a reason to stop by her desk, partly for the cabinet full of snacks, but mostly for her. Those visits turned into lunches as our group grew. That was Tracy: she took her work seriously and got the job done, but she was also always eager to bring together people who otherwise might never have crossed paths. She cared about what other people were into — and if you had travel stories, you had her undivided attention.
I’ll miss her laugh. I’ll miss how she could make a friend in any room. Most of all, I’ll miss her ability to tell it like it is — always honest, always tactful, always with respect.
My deepest condolences to Brandon, her father, and the rest of her family.
I’d always find a reason to stop by her desk, partly for the cabinet full of snacks, but mostly for her. Those visits turned into lunches as our group grew. That was Tracy: she took her work seriously and got the job done, but she was also always eager to bring together people who otherwise might never have crossed paths. She cared about what other people were into — and if you had travel stories, you had her undivided attention.
I’ll miss her laugh. I’ll miss how she could make a friend in any room. Most of all, I’ll miss her ability to tell it like it is — always honest, always tactful, always with respect.
My deepest condolences to Brandon, her father, and the rest of her family.
July 10, 2026
My deepest sorrow and condolences to the Williams Family in the passing of our beloved Tracy Lauren Williams. I have many wonderful and fond memories of Tracy, for we were roommates at Howard University during our freshman and sophomore years! In addition to having rhyming names, we spent time in deep conversation and laughing heartily from our souls. Even back then, Tracy lived her life with purpose, determination, and lots of infectious humor! Plus, she stood her ground! Although, we lost contact over the years pursuing careers and building our families, I am overjoyed to learn of all of Tracy’s career accomplishments, her spectacular travels, and her masterpiece work — her son Brandon Williams!
My broken heart is comforted to know that Tracy said that she was at peace and like in true Tracy fashion, asked for more prayers for her family than for herself. While, I feel Tracy is gone too soon, I know that we all are comforted with God’s Blessed Assurance and that her joyful spirit lives on in us all! So, we all mourn, but we celebrate a beautiful life well lived!
My broken heart is comforted to know that Tracy said that she was at peace and like in true Tracy fashion, asked for more prayers for her family than for herself. While, I feel Tracy is gone too soon, I know that we all are comforted with God’s Blessed Assurance and that her joyful spirit lives on in us all! So, we all mourn, but we celebrate a beautiful life well lived!
July 9, 2026
My heartfelt condolences to Brandon and the rest of Tracy’s loved ones,
I met Tracy 42 years ago when I moved to Washington, DC as a pharmacy resident at Children’s National Medical Center-Tracy was one of the first people I met as a young person who just moved to the area. From
My first encounters, I knew that Tracy was smart, resourceful, fun, and was a leader. When she moved away, I looked forward to seeing pictures of all of her adventures and was proud of her get up and go trips all over the world and love for the theater.
Tracy, a core member of the Children’s family will be missed tremendous. May her memory be a blessing and she will always be in our hearts.
I met Tracy 42 years ago when I moved to Washington, DC as a pharmacy resident at Children’s National Medical Center-Tracy was one of the first people I met as a young person who just moved to the area. From
My first encounters, I knew that Tracy was smart, resourceful, fun, and was a leader. When she moved away, I looked forward to seeing pictures of all of her adventures and was proud of her get up and go trips all over the world and love for the theater.
Tracy, a core member of the Children’s family will be missed tremendous. May her memory be a blessing and she will always be in our hearts.
July 9, 2026
My heart-felt condolences to Brandon, Tracy's father and brother, and all family members.
Tracy was a determined and focused light in this world. I will miss her and her adventures.
We worked for the same company years ago and had a friend in common. Tracy had a lovely home, her dogs, her cooking and Mr Brandon.
When Tracy and Brandon moved to Paris she invited me to visit. I was shocked, but she meant it. She was warm and welcoming and glad to see me take her up on her offer.
Watching the two of them travel Europe and then Tracy as a solo traveler has been a treat. She seemed to take a can't stop/won't stop approach to travel. I thought that was exceptional.
Over the years I'd occassionally see her when she visited Chicago. The cook had turned foodie. Or maybe both cook and foodie.
Tracy lived a life
Spoke straight
Cared a lot
Took care of business
Loved, loved, loved her family
May God keep her and her family
You still rock, Tracy!
Tracy was a determined and focused light in this world. I will miss her and her adventures.
We worked for the same company years ago and had a friend in common. Tracy had a lovely home, her dogs, her cooking and Mr Brandon.
When Tracy and Brandon moved to Paris she invited me to visit. I was shocked, but she meant it. She was warm and welcoming and glad to see me take her up on her offer.
Watching the two of them travel Europe and then Tracy as a solo traveler has been a treat. She seemed to take a can't stop/won't stop approach to travel. I thought that was exceptional.
Over the years I'd occassionally see her when she visited Chicago. The cook had turned foodie. Or maybe both cook and foodie.
Tracy lived a life
Spoke straight
Cared a lot
Took care of business
Loved, loved, loved her family
May God keep her and her family
You still rock, Tracy!
July 9, 2026
Brandon, Mr. Williams, and family, praying for your strength, comfort and peace.
Thirty plus years of friendship and sisterhood with Tracy - how blessed was I. From CBIS, where we met, to investment club, book club, spa parties, concerts, the theatre, travels, and every thing in between, so many memories and laughs I'll cherish forever. My favorite, our girls trip to Tracy's favorite destination, Paris, France. We had a ball!
I love you and will miss you Tracy Lauren. Rest well Lovelie, rest well.
SjS
Thirty plus years of friendship and sisterhood with Tracy - how blessed was I. From CBIS, where we met, to investment club, book club, spa parties, concerts, the theatre, travels, and every thing in between, so many memories and laughs I'll cherish forever. My favorite, our girls trip to Tracy's favorite destination, Paris, France. We had a ball!
I love you and will miss you Tracy Lauren. Rest well Lovelie, rest well.
SjS
July 8, 2026
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one and my spa party friend. May God comfort us at this difficult time. I will miss her strong sense of self and I sat as her student each time we met to discuss her extensive travel experiences. I do not know anyone like her; but her essence in adventure has rubbed off on the entire group. Each time we gather we discuss where one has visited recently. That is just one impact I can share she has had on this veritable group of spa-loving ladies.
July 8, 2026
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of my Friend Tracy. I met Tracy while we both attended Howard University in 1979. We had so, so many great times & years together. I will never forget her unique, beautiful smile & laugh. She had a great sense of humor. Some of her last words to me were, "I've lived a great life & I have no regrets." She was so free spirited, world Traveler & loved culture & culinary. I will truly miss her!
July 8, 2026
Tracy is my cousin whom I grew up with and spent alot of family time. Praise God, without Question someone I always looked forward to seeing and talking to. Her Memory will forever be etched in my heart and mind!! Im missing her like crazy Already!!
July 8, 2026
I met Tracy in 1979 at Howard university. She was a no nonsense gentle soul. My heart goes out to the family especially her son. Although life kept us from spending more time together we remained friends. Rest in Peace no more pain I will see you again someday. Love you ❤️❤️❤️
July 8, 2026
To the family I offer my prayers for comfort and condolences for the homegoing of my good friend Tracy. She was one of a kind, sweet, and funny. She will be missed! You love her but God loved her best!
Favorites
What was Tracy's favorite Travel destination?
Paris, France
Service
Please join us to pay tribute to Tracy Lauren Williams at H.H. Roberts Mortuary in Dayton OH.
We will come together to celebrate the life and spirit of an incredible woman that brought a lot of light into our lives.
We will come together to celebrate the life and spirit of an incredible woman that brought a lot of light into our lives.
Donate
In honor of Tracy, we invite you to contribute to the University of Cincinnati Gynecologic Oncology Center. Your generous donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Tracy by supporting a meaningful cause.
https://foundation.uc.edu/ways-to-give
https://foundation.uc.edu/ways-to-give
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