Carrie Marie Williams

Carrie M. Williams was born on November 5, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, and died on May 31, 2023. She is survived by her two children Aaron Williams (Caitlin O’Neill) and Christine Williams (Quin Reidy); her father John Headley; her siblings Steve Headley (Beth) and Linda Headley; and her niece, Elizabeth Pratt, and three nephews, Jake Headley, Noah Headley, and Mattie Headley. Her mother Laurel Headley and her brother-in-law Peter Pratt passed before her.

Carrie’s greatest joy in life was her children. She was their champion and cheerleader, attending all of their choir concerts, art exhibitions, piano recitals, drama club productions, baseball games, wrestling matches, and cross county races. She loved throwing birthday parties for them, always making extravagant cakes, coming up with creative themes, and finding just the right gifts. She also loved making Chris and Aaron their Halloween costumes, and especially celebrating Christmas, her favorite holiday, with them. Most importantly, she always encouraged them to do the right thing and try their best, no matter what.

In addition to being a dedicated mom, Carrie was a dear sister and loving daughter. She brought so much joy to John and Laurel as their first born—a sweet, bubbly child whom they endearingly called their “little pumpkinseed.” When Steve and Linda came along, she cared for them as only an older (and sometimes bossy) sister can, making sure they followed the rules but also had fun. It was with her family that Carrie developed an early love of sports through their many family ski trips, backyard volleyball matches, neighborhood softball games, and pool parties with friends and relatives.

Carrie’s love of sports continued for many years. She swam competitively at Otto Junior High, Eastern High School, and Lansing Community College, specializing in the butterfly (her broad shoulders suited the stroke) and long-distance free-style events. She even returned to Otto to coach the girls swim team for several years. Carrie also played softball in high school and continued playing well into adulthood, especially enjoying her years with her church’s co-ed team. She did not care about winning as much as being outside having fun with the people she cared for. If Carrie was not teaching jazzercize, playing golf, or engaging in a team sport herself, she was introducing Aaron and Chris to the sports they loved (and some they didn’t). One thing every coach and teammate said about Carrie was that she was always the hardest worker on the field or in the pool.

Carrie was a very spiritual person. She attended Gunnisonville United Methodist as a child and chose Grand Ledge First United Methodist as her own church once she married and had a family. She didn’t merely attend church though—Carrie was always actively involved, whether singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, arranging a potluck dinner, organizing a donation drive, or participating on a committee. Her church was her second family, and her faith helped her weather many storms, the most important of which was facing down cancer at the age of 32. While doctors did not give her much chance for survival, Carrie’s tenacity and faith allowed her to live 31 more years. They were not without their challenges, but Carrie endured because of her unique ability to see the best in others, to choose happiness over despair, and to always move forward, finding joy in small things and the people she loved. She never complained or felt sorry for herself, she just soldiered on, getting things done and putting others before herself.

Although Carrie did not live a long life, she made a deep and lasting impression on everyone she met. She was kind, thoughtful, generous in spirit, quick to laugh, and generally the most optimistic person in the room. She had a teacher’s outlook on life, both inside and outside of the classroom, forever curious about the world, people, animals, and plants. She especially loved music (singing and playing the piano), playing cards and games (particularly Cribbage, Golf, and Old Swell), and watching crime shows, Jeopardy, and Star Trek on television. When those of us who were fortunate enough to know her do these things going forward, we will fondly think of, and dearly miss, her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Carrie’s name to Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church (411 Harrison St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837), Careline Hospice (801 Rosehill Rd., Jackson, MI 49202), or the American Cancer Society of Michigan (1755 Abbey Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823).