Obituary for Mary Frances Williams (Williams)
Mary Frances Williams went home to be with the Lord on December 16, 2020, having lived a rich and full life. Mary was born to John Henry and Alberta Williams on March 21, 1934 in Vidalia Georgia. She attended primary school in Georgia and in Jacksonville, Florida. As a young girl, she enjoyed spending time with her family, and was fiercely protective of her siblings. As a teenager, Mary attended Matthew Gilbert High School in Jacksonville, FL, where she played the saxophone in the high school band. Mary received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Florida State Normal and Industrial College, and later received her Master of Education Degree from Florida A&M University.
Mary used her degrees to change the lives of children, working as an educator in the Duval County Public Schools for over 36 years. During this time, she was selected Teacher of the Year numerous times and was known as one of the county’s foremost educators, employing her own unique brand of tough love. Simultaneously, she owned and operated a successful neighborhood daycare center, setting an example in education, entrepreneurship, and faith for all to follow.
Mary’s love for music in early adulthood led her to serve faithfully in the choir at Church of God Saints in Christ Holiness Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a self-taught organist, pianist, and vocalist. Later, her passion for God and musical gifts led her to form the gospel sensation, Excelsior Gospel Singers. She was passionate about her relationship with God, serving faithfully in the music ministry at Church of God Sanctuary of Praise for many years, and hosting weekly prayer meetings in her home for over 40 years. The Excelsior Gospel Singers, under the direction of Mary F. Williams, was elected to the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2016.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, John Henry Williams,; mother, Alberta Williams; sister, Margaret Powell; and brother, John Henry Williams, Jr.
Mary leaves to mourn her passing one sister, Betty Williams Small and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, spiritual family, and friends.
Mary used her degrees to change the lives of children, working as an educator in the Duval County Public Schools for over 36 years. During this time, she was selected Teacher of the Year numerous times and was known as one of the county’s foremost educators, employing her own unique brand of tough love. Simultaneously, she owned and operated a successful neighborhood daycare center, setting an example in education, entrepreneurship, and faith for all to follow.
Mary’s love for music in early adulthood led her to serve faithfully in the choir at Church of God Saints in Christ Holiness Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a self-taught organist, pianist, and vocalist. Later, her passion for God and musical gifts led her to form the gospel sensation, Excelsior Gospel Singers. She was passionate about her relationship with God, serving faithfully in the music ministry at Church of God Sanctuary of Praise for many years, and hosting weekly prayer meetings in her home for over 40 years. The Excelsior Gospel Singers, under the direction of Mary F. Williams, was elected to the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2016.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, John Henry Williams,; mother, Alberta Williams; sister, Margaret Powell; and brother, John Henry Williams, Jr.
Mary leaves to mourn her passing one sister, Betty Williams Small and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, spiritual family, and friends.