Mary Elizabeth Williams, 78, was born on August 24, 1934 in Louisville, Kentucky. She was one of nine children born to the late Annie Crowell Kelcy and Thomas Crowell. After an extended illness, she died on January 4, 2013. Her surviving siblings include Annetta Lamar and Goldie Henton, both of Louisville.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Robert Short, Nathaniel Short, Joseph Crowell and James Crowell, as well as two of her sisters, Beatrice Rainey and Wilma Forrest.
Under the influence of her Christian mother, she accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Lanier Memorial Baptist Church, where she was an active member until her move to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, she would become an active saint at New Home Baptist Church under the leadership of her beloved son-in-law, Elder G. M. Spotts.
Mary was a graduate of Louisville Central High School, class of 1952. Soon after she would meet and marry her late husband of 56 years, Steven Williams and have four daughters, Jacqueline, Julia, Stephanie and Tavis. It was after the birth of her last daughter, that she would aspire to the profession of cosmetology with the knowledge that it was better that she have the capabilities for doing her own daughters hair than expend the funds for someone else to do the task.
She was an outstanding cosmetologist for many years before failing health would force her to give up the profession she so dearly loved. She was a member of the Filles de’ Jollie Chapter 33 of the Kentucky Congress of Cosmetologists.
Mary is survived by her four devoted daughters, Jacqueline Ford (Eugene) of Jacksonville, FL, Julia Williams of Lexington, KY, Stephanie Williams of Louisville, KY and Tavis Spotts (Gregory) of Chattanooga, TN; five grandchildren, Tia, Trey, Tavis, Stephon and Thea; two great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and a multitude of extended family and friends.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Greater New Home Baptist Church (at the corner of Central and McCallie Avenue) at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends from noon until time of services. Interment – Kentucky Veteran Cemetery in Radcliff, Ky.
The body will lie in state after noon on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.