Shirley L. Williams

Shirley was born on November 3, 1927, in Peoria, Illinois, to Lyle and Mildred Undenstock Lamb. After graduating high school, Shirley went on to study nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, receiving her Registered Nursing license and meeting her future husband, Dr. Guy Truett Williams, who was a Captain in the U.S. Navy.

After their marriage on June 23, 1949, Shirley and Guy lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, until Guy was recalled by the U.S. Navy for the Korean Conflict. They then traveled compliments of the U.S. Navy, to San Diego, Newfoundland, Canada, Rhode Island, Jacksonville, finally landing in New Orleans, where they remained for the rest of their lives. During that time, they had four children, Guy Truett, Violet Joan, David Jefferson, and Nancy Susan.

In New Orleans, Shirley worked as an RN at Mercy Hospital and then began work as a veterinary assistant with Violet at Chateau Veterinary Hospital in Kenner. Shirley also volunteered frequently. She worked at the Rachel Sims Baptist Mission in uptown New Orleans for over 30 years, providing clothing and goods to those in need. An avid reader, Shirley also taught adults to read, using the Laubach Literacy method. Shirley relayed a story from one of the women she taught who told her that the only way she could tell what was in a can at the grocery store was by the picture on the label. Shirley believed that teaching adults to read was a critical step toward economic success. Shirley was also a dedicated gardener, and was known to pinch of a small stem from a plant while on a walk, which she would then root later.

Shirley was an adventurer. When Guy received his pilot’s license, Shirley took her own course in emergency flying, in case something happens to the pilot. Guy and Shirley took cruises and vacations throughout the world. When on a tour to Australia, the tour group was taken out to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling and scuba diving. No one else in the group wanted to actually get in the water, Shirley did, and accompanied by four diving instructors, made solo dives. Shirley was cheered by jet ski instructors in Key West, jet skiing around the Key, apparently the oldest client that they had. Shirley and Guy also took an extended trip to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Germany. In Moscow, they were able to stay at the U.S. Embassy and at the Embassy dacha outside of Moscow. Her love of travel and adventure extended to the end, when she went to South Dakota to visit Mt. Rushmore and motorcyclists in Sturgis during bike week.

Shirley is survived by her four children and their spouses, Guy Williams (Dale), Violet Williams Nix (Bill), David Williams (Lisbeth), and Nancy. Shirley also leaves 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Shirley was a devout Christian and a member of Metairie Baptist Church for over 60 years. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Metairie Baptist Church, 401 Codifier Blvd., Metairie, LA, followed by a service at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crossroads NOLA, https://crossroadsnola.org/donatenow/