 |
Mary Jean Williams, 60, of Dayton, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at the Ohio Hospice Center, Dayton.
The middle child of 19, she was born Nov. 14, 1955, in McGehee, Ark., to the late James and Odessa Sanders. She also was preceded in death by four brothers, Willie Fisher, Charles, James Jr. and Joseph Sanders.
She attended high school in McGehee, Ark., and Sinclair Community College in Dayton. In 1976, she moved to Dayton, where she served at a variety of positions, notably Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehab Center for many years.
She married the love of her life, Franklin E. Williams, on July 4, 1983, and moved to Bellefontaine, where she worked at Heartland of Bellefontaine, Green Hills Community and Mary Rutan Hospital, from which she retired after 25 years of service. Because of her failing health, she and her husband relocated back to Dayton in September 2014 to be close to her sisters, Gloria Gaitawe and Bettye Tatman.
She has been saved since the age of 25. She was a member of Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church, where she served as a member of the women’s ministry until her health no longer permitted. While living in Bellefontaine, she was a member of Christ Temple Apostolic Church, under the tutelage of Elder Abraham Kenner, and served as the children’s choir director, a member of the women’s missionary and as a deaconness. She also was a member of the praise team and church choir.
Sister Williams loved to cook, sew, wallpaper, reupholster furniture, lay carpet, and overall she was excellent with her hands. More than anything, she loved to entertain and sing.
She leaves to cherish precious memories her beloved husband; daughter, Bobbie (Frederick) Thomas of Columbus; son, Devonne Lattimore of Irwin, Pa.; stepdaughter, Felecia Singleton of Toledo; four sisters, Gloria (the Rev. John) Gaitawe and Bettye (Marvin) Tatman, both of Dayton, Lois Sanders of Los Angeles and Special Sanders of McGehee, Ark.; nine brothers, Chester (Linda) and Bobby Sanders of Little Rock, Ark., Billy Joe (Rose), Larry (Molly), Jerry (Wilma), Gregory, Ricky and George Sanders, all of Houston, Texas, and Adam (Margaret) Sanders of Jackson, Miss.; five sisters in-law, Phyllis, Willie Mae, Princess, Rose and Marcella (Eddie) McIntyre; five granddaughters, Ashlee (Gregory) Ricker and Meghan Stokes, both of Columbus, Alexis Lattimore of Toledo, and Arianna and Malia Lattimore of Irwin, Pa.; two great-franddaughters, Navaeh and Mariah Ricker of Columbus; special friends, Daisy Artis, Patricia Beasley Reed and Georgette Tina Hood; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the Bethesda Temple Church family.
A funeral begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church Dayton. Interment is in Dayton National Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Young Lusain Funeral Home & Crematory, Dayton.