[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 31 (Friday, February 13, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E137-E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING YARBROUGH WILLIAMS, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DONALD G. DAVIS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2026

  Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Yarbrough 
Williams, Jr., who was born on March 24, 1950, in Warren County, North 
Carolina to the late Yarbrough Williams, Sr. and Mildred R. Fields. He 
was called by God to eternal rest on January 13, 2026, at the age of 
75, following a brief illness at Duke University Hospital in Durham, 
North Carolina.
  Yarbrough was the oldest of eight children and proudly lived in 
Warrenton his whole life. He graduated from John R. Hawkins High School 
in 1968. Yarbrough started building his own house at the age of 19, 
despite resistance from bankers and others who told him he was too 
young. While building the house, he took courses at Vance Granville 
Community College. He went on to attend North Carolina State University 
and became certified to teach Vocational Education. He then received 
further education at North Carolina A&T State University, Appalachian 
State University, and South Carolina State University.
  After helping his family in the tobacco and cucumber fields, the 
decision to work in masonry was an easy one. Yarbrough became known as 
one of ``Exum's Boys'', having learned the skilled, specialized trade 
of bricklaying from Wilford Exum in high school. Back then, Warren 
County was the capital of bricklaying.
  Yarbrough worked as a mason by day and went to school at night. He 
was a foreman for a construction company. In 1970, he was offered a 
teaching job to help integrate the Franklin County Schools. After much 
prayer and thought, as well as a sizable reduction in pay, Yarbrough 
went to work at Franklinton High School, where he started the brick-
laying program teaching masonry, blueprint reading and drafting. 
Teaching was his calling, but he taught much more than bricklaying. He 
instilled in his students respect, self-discipline, and common sense, 
giving them life lessons in every way possible. He felt strongly that 
being a father figure and advocate meant setting up his students for 
success, often ensuring that they had jobs before graduating from high 
school.
  Yarbrough's students scored in the top of their region and district 
for 25 years. They won three state championships, many regional, 
district, and national championships and several other masonry awards. 
In the early years, he visited students' homes to learn more about them 
and sometimes even helped them get to school. He supervised school 
clubs, led fundraising drives to take students on field trips across 
the country; he also took his own children and frequently his mom. In 
33 years as a school teacher, Yarbrough Williams loved his students and 
they loved him back. He was that beloved teacher who encouraged and 
organized both parents and teachers when the need arose. The masonry 
program started with only seven students, but it grew so much that new 
facilities were needed to meet the demand. An entrepreneur from an 
early age, he was the first Black business owner that his students 
encountered. Many followed his lead working for themselves.
  While teaching school, Yarbrough also built and ran a 3,000 head hog 
farm, a trucking company and a construction company. He retired in 
Yarbrough touched and taught thousands of students, reaching future 
generations. Even after his retirement, Yarbrough continued encouraging 
former students, giving advice when requested.
  Throughout his life, starting as a young man, Yarbrough became 
involved and active in his church and community. In church, Yarbrough 
had many roles from deacon and trustee to Bible Study teacher at both 
Shocco Chapel Baptist Church and Coley Springs Missionary Baptist 
Church. It was his strong faith that propelled him into community and 
political organizing.
  In those early years, he caught the attention of many of the African 
American men who were pioneers and giants in Warren County, learning 
all he could from them. Politics became a passion. Yarbrough served on 
the PTA, Board of Education, helped start and served as chair of the 
Warren County Political Action Council. He was instrumental in getting 
Black men and women elected to office to represent the majority of the 
population. He was named Teacher of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and 
received numerous other awards and honors throughout his life, 
including being listed in Who's Who Among Black Americans for a decade. 
Yarbrough worked to get people registered to vote, and for 10 years was 
Chair of the Warren County Democratic Party.
  In 2008, Yarbrough joined the Board of Trustees of the Warren County 
Community Center. Taking a lesson from his years as a teacher, 
Yarbrough paved the way to start Race to the Top A's Fund Program, a 
way to encourage high school students to get better grades. He also 
supervised the total building rehabilitation of the historic Warren 
County Community Center.
  His love for the land led him to purchase property and create two 
farms, places that brought him peace, purpose and pride throughout his 
life. With his commanding presence, warm smile and gift of gab, 
Yarbrough never met a stranger. He loved fishing, deer hunting, 
traveling and spending time with his family. He always had an 
encouraging word, never tolerated foolishness or laziness. His tireless 
work and dedication to the students and citizens of Warren and Franklin 
Counties leave an indelible mark not to be soon forgotten. Brick by 
brick, he built a legacy of enduring love to be cherished for 
generations to come.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two younger 
brothers Carl Erskin and Roscoe Williams and his wife the mother of his 
three oldest children Carolyn M. Williams.
  Yarbrough leaves to cherish his memories his wife: Shauna Singletary 
Alami Williams; five children, Consherto Vernette Williams, Yarbrough 
Williams, III aka ``Champ'' (LaSandra), Juarod Williams, Jamal Alami 
(Leah), and Aisha Alami Georges Jacques); seven grandsons, Adonis, 
Jaelen, Juarod Williams, Jr., Jeremiah, Josiah, Aiden Georges, Phoenix 
Alami; five granddaughters, Tiara A. London, Aleyah and Rakaya 
Williams, Jada and Ava Shauna Georges; three great grandchildren, 
Ashtyn Williams, Brayden McNeal,

[[Page E138]]

Inara Ella Cornelius; three sisters, lvoria Terry (Robert), Carrie 
Windbush (Sylvester), Fannie Williams Bacon; two brothers, Morgan 
(Minda) and Don Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and 
friends.

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