Mildred Lorene Williams

Mildred Lorene Williams passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on Friday, May 17, 2013, at the age of 82. She was born on January 12, 1931, to Frank and Opal Rhoades in Hobart, OK. Mildred grew up as the oldest of 6 children on a peanut farm in Burneyville, OK. She attended Pike Elementary and Courtney High as a youth, where she excelled in basketball. Her father instilled in her hard work and honesty, and her mother taught her kindness and generosity.

Mildred was a homemaker and raised 6 children. In 1967, she completed a correspondence course at the Bible Institute of Texas, receiving six credit hours. In 1970, as her oldest child was graduating from high school, Mildred was graduating with a licensed vocational nursing degree from Gainesville Memorial School of Training. She worked as a nurse for many years, employed at nursing homes and hospitals in the Gainesville area. She later accepted a job at National Supply. Following its closing, she began work as a LVN at the Gainesville State School; she retired with 10 years of service in 1996.

Mildred came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 20. Her deep faith and passion for His Word was her driving force. She loved listening to radio Bible preachers and gospel music. She was always memorizing scripture and sharing it with anyone who would listen. Her greatest accomplishment was raising her children and grandchildren to follow in this legacy of faith, strong work ethic and truthfulness. Her hobbies included painting, reading, gardening, crocheting and baking.

She was active in many churches in the community, where she impacted everyone by her witness. Currently, she was a member of Harvey Street Baptist Church. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Mildred is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Sharon Williams of Gainesville, Gary and Patty Williams of Ft. Worth, Bryan and Jamie Williams of Decatur, Johnny and Susie Williams of Gainesville; sister Fannie Jo McCurley; sisters and brothers-in-law Evelyn and Leslie West, Elaine and Bruce Keeler, brother and sister-in-law Gene and Sharon Rhoades and sister-in-law Pat Rhoades, 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her only daughter, Sue; second son, Ricky; father and mother, Frank and Opal Rhoades; brother Lee Rhoades and great-nephew Andrew Hollandsworth.

Services will be held at the Geo. J Carroll & Son Chapel on Wednesday, May 22, at 10:00 am, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 7 pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brian, Luke, Lance, Abe and Ty Williams and nephew Roger Rhoades.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.