Frances Tate Williams

Frances Tate Williams, loving mother, wife, grandmother, & great grandmother passed away on her birthday at the age of 99. Frances was a resident of Grace Care Center of Katy, Texas. Frances was born in Bemis Tennessee a company town outside of Jackson, Tennessee. She was the second of two daughters born to Arthur and Helen Tate. Frances is survived by her two children, Andrew L. (Drew) Williams III & his wife Jane of Granbury, Texas and Carolyn Woodard of Katy, Texas.

Frances has 6 grandchildren, Matthew Woodard & his wife Mandy, Jeremy Woodard, Erin Wiiliams & her husband Matthew, Jennifer Vickers & her husband Jonathan, Brett Williams & his wife Courtney, and Neil Williams & his wife Stephanie. She also has 10 great-grandchildren, Ethan Woodard, Parker Woodard, Asher Williams, Blake Williams, Grayson Williams, Brady Woodard, Hailey Williams, Finn Williams, Melanie Williams, and Andrew Williams. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Andrew (Andy) L. Williams, Jr., sister Virginia Robbins, great-grandson Tyler Woodard, son-in-law David Woodard, niece Camille Mack, and parents.

Frances attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Languages. While attending Union Frances competed in a Latin language competition and won the state loving cup award. During her college years Frances became a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Frances stayed active in the Sorority for many years both as a collegiate and an Alumna. She served many years as the Treasurer of the Houston chapter.

Frances married Andrew (Andy) L. Williams, Jr. in 1947 who was also from Jackson, Tennessee. They moved to College Station, Texas while Andy attended Texas A&M University. Once Andy graduated they moved to Houston, Texas. They were happily married for 68 years. Frances and Andy loved to travel and took many trips across America & Europe with their friends Jean & Clyde Slay.

Frances had a great love for the arts. Early in her adult life she would frequently sing solos in her hometown churches. This continued even after she was married. Frances had a beautiful alto voice and was actively involved in church choirs. She sang for many years In Bellaire United Methodist Church of Bellaire, Texas. Frances shared the love of music with her daughter Carolyn and they sang duets sometimes in Church. Frances also sang in the Balladeers, a small group that visited nursing homes. Besides music Frances loved to paint. Some of Frances’ paintings were displayed in Bellaire Methodist Church.

Besides being a devoted wife, and mother, Frances will be greatly loved and missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was affectionately called “Mia” and known for her red hair. Frances was an avid reader and often spoke her mind.

The family rejoices that she is once again whole in the arms of her family in heaven, where there is only joy, peace, and no more suffering.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10am in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77077. The service will be on Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home Facebook Live page.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization, www.komen.org or to Bellaire United Methodist Church, www.bellaireumc.org