Willa Frances Morrow Williams

View Video Tribute View Funeral Webcast Willa Frances Morrow Williams, 88, long-time resident of Seventh Avenue, died Monday, February 18, 2013 at Signature Health Care. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Wendell Robinson and Jeff Durham officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Willa Frances and James Dugger Williams Scholarship Fund at Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia 38401. Notes of condolence may be extended at oakesandnichols.com. Born and reared in Lawrenceburg, she was the daughter of the late Cary Eli Morrow and Meda Ora Brown Morrow. She was a graduate of Lawrence County High School and David Lipscomb Junior College. She later earned an Associate Degree from Columbia State Community College. Mrs. Williams married James Dugger Williams on September 1, 1947. Their 62 year marriage ended with his death November 15, 2009. As a young lady, Mrs. Williams began her working career as secretary to the Officers of Commerce Union Bank in Columbia. She later was secretary to the Dean of David Lipscomb College in Nashville. When Columbia State Community College was established, Mrs. Williams was one of the first staff members employed and served as administrative assistant to the President of the college until her retirement in 1985. She attended and became a member of Lawrenceburg Church of Christ at an early age. After moving to Columbia to make her home, she worshipped at Highland Avenue Church of Christ, was a charter member of Riverside Church of Christ and Northview Church of Christ and most recently was a member of Graymere Church of Christ. Survivors include her children, James Dugger (Rita Evans) Williams, Jr. of Columbia, Donna Jean (Richard) Porter of Orr's Island, Maine, and Cary Anne (Jeff) Durham of Summertown; grandchildren, Rebekah (Andy) Parker, Andrew (Katie) Williams, Robert (Brandy) Porter, Catheryne Jeanne Porter, Anna Rebecca (Brandon) Arnold, Jessica Frances Durham, James Thomas (Christine) Durham; great-grandchildren, Jackson Williams Parker, Andrew James Parker, Taylor Leigh Parker, Colton Marshall Porter. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, William Thomas Morrow. Active pallbearers are James Durham, Andrew Williams, Robert Porter, Andy Parker, Brandon Arnold, and Wayne Hardison. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Harold Pryor, Edna Hickman, Ann and Jim Bryant, Wanda Robinson's Sunday School Class at Graymere Church of Christ and the Birthday Club and retirees from Columbia State Community College.