Marie Fields Williams passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Visitation will be held at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, on Friday, November 27 from 1 p.m. until 2p.m., followed immediately by a Celebration of her Life. Graveside services will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 509, New York, NY 10018; the Methodist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, 31203; Epworth-By-The-Sea, 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simon’s Island, GA 31522; the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, 91 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745, Magnolia Manor, 200 Pierce Avenue, Macon 31204 or a charity of one’s choice.
Marie was born on December 13, 1926 in Clinton County, Ohio and lived on a farm all her life until going to Wilmington College where she prepared for teaching elementary children. She taught school in a suburb of Cincinnati prior to marrying Dansy T. Williams on December 23, 1948. She grew up attending the Methodist Church and was married in Morrisville Methodist Church. At the age of 12, she made a strong commitment to the Lord and found Him to be her source of strength and guidance throughout her life.
To this marriage were born three children – Jeanne, Mary and Edwin (Eddie).
Through the years, Marie was involved in P.T.A.’s; scouts; Room Mothers, and whatever ways she could assist the schools involved.
Upon moving to Macon, she attended Scarritt College in Nashville, TN where she became accredited as Director of Christian Education and served as Director of Christian Education for 7 years at Mulberry St. United Methodist Church where she developed a strong program on all age levels. She started the camping program now known as the scampers; she also started the Older Adult program known as the Young at Heart. This included a broad travel program as well as educational and entertaining programs. She loved Lake Junaluska as well as Epworth by the Sea and made it possible for the youth to broaden their spiritual horizons as well as their social and physical lives by taking them as well as the Older adults to both places for planned programs for their age level. She and the church worked together to obtain the first bus at Mulberry.
She and Dan spent 7 summers at Lake Junaluska and she was responsible for developing a broad program in the Adult Center there.
She served as Older Adult Coordinator of the South Georgia Conference for several years.
In 1976, at the request of Dr. G. Ross Freeman, then district Superintendent of Macon District, asked Marie to develop a program for the Older adults of the Macon District and she worked at this untiringly for over 20 years making many opportunities available for the older adults such as working in the 1996 World Olympics in Atlanta; working the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival; visiting the World’s Fair in Knoxville and the one in New Orleans and attending the Passion Play in Obergammerau several times; as well as traveling over most of the world and our country. Group name – Pacesetters.
She served on the Board of the Lake Junaluska Associates; is a Life and 1913 Member of the associates and has served as an advisor of South Georgia Conference on the Lake Junaluska Board.
She was instrumental in getting Magnolia Manor of Macon built and carried out many projects for the residents there financially and with parties, crafts, etc.
She started the Auxiliary at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth in 1990 which has created much money through bazaars; dinner and yard sales.
She worked with the Young at Hearts of Mulberry arranging for programs as well as visiting and taking them her famous banana nut bread and chicken salad to enjoy.
She has served as president of the Macon Woman’s Club for 4 years and was instrumental in involving the members in many worthwhile projects such as working at the Woodruff House during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
She has served several times as President of the Bibb County Homemakers and has served on the State Homemakers board. She has served as the President of the Forest Lake Homemakers and has been a member of it for many years.
She was responsible for staffing the Woodruff House during many Cherry Blossom Festivals.
She was a member of the Solomon-Fellowship Class at Mulberry and has served in many offices there as well as President.
She was very proud of their three children and grandchildren.
Marie is survived by three children; Jeanne McLain and son-in-law, Dr. Steve McLain of Warner Robins; Mary Horton and son-in-law, Ricky Horton of Wetumpka, Alabama; and son, Edwin L. Williams and daughter-in-law, Launa Herndon Williams of Winston, GA as well as grandchildren, Charles and Philip McLain; Jonathan Edge and Benjamin, Zachary and Emily Williams and 3 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased in death by her parents, Orris and Crete Fields; her sister, May Munson and brothers, Orville and Orris Fields.
She was a member of Mulberry Street UMC and the United Methodist Women and the former Women’s Society of Christian service having served as President of both as well as the Wesleyan Service Guild. She has served on the Administrative Board as well as the Council of Ministries.
She loved people and loved to entertain in her home and to serve the Lord in whatever way He lead.
Marie’s family would like to thank the staffs at both Antebellum Grove and The Lodge in Warner Robins for their compassionate, thoughtful and respectful care of Marie during these past several years.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.
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