Lila Candice Williams known to everyone as Candice, age 69, of Burgaw passed away on September 25, 2026, at her home surrounded by her husband, her two sons, and her beloved sister-in-law.

Candice was born Lila Candice Rivenbark on January 29, 1957, in Clinton, North Carolina, to Joseph Chester Rivenbark and Muriel Gurganus Rivenbark. She grew up in Bulltail, North Carolina.

She spent her career serving the public as a caseworker with the Department of Social Services. Her work took her to Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; Warner Robins and Macon, Georgia; and finally, Pender County, where she worked until her retirement. She made Burgaw her home in 1998.

Candice was an avid basket weaver and gifted teacher of the craft. She taught classes up and down he East Coast and served as president of the North Carolina Basketmakers Association, one of the largest basket weaving associations in the United States. She was also an amazing cook and true artist. She passed both of those gifts on, teaching her son and her grandson how to cook and how to weave baskets. Candice loved to travel, and her refrigerator, covered in magnets from every place she visited, proves it. Her travels took her as far as Europe. Her last trip was to Las Vegas in November 2025, where she came home $500.00 ahead after a good night at the casino.

Above all, Candice was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She and Bobby were married for 51 years, she never missed her boy’s games, and somehow managed to be at two of her sons’ sporting events at the same time, a feat the family still talks about. She loved her family and friends deeply, and she was kind to everyone she met. She also loved her three cats. Even in the hospital, she was still worried about who was taking care of them. For more than ten years she faced the effects of encephalitis with strength and grace.

Candice is survived by her husband, Bobby Alan Williams; her sons, Joseph Lee Williams and wife Jeanie Knudsen Williams, and Michael Alan Williams; her grandson, Alexander Joseph Williams; her sister, Victoria Worrell and husband Robert Worrell; her sister-in-law, Pat Mintz; and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Muriel Rivenbark, and other beloved family members.

Candice will be forever missed and always in our hearts.

There will be no visitation. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by placing a post on the Guestbook.

A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.