America’s Great Depression. Born to Mary Charlotte Simms. Her father, Edwin
R. Heard, was killed in an airplane accident when his daughter was just one
year old. Eddie was primarily raised by her grandmother, Martha Simms,
called Mamma to all her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mamma was widowed in 1935 and raised her children and Eddie Jean as a
single parent. Eddie’s mother worked and lived in California and Hawaii as a
singer, often entertaining troops at USO shows and sending money home.
Eddie Jean thrived in high school, where she was a cheerleader and played on
the tennis team. She went to college, initially attending Texas Tech University
but left there because Lubbock’s extreme dust storms proved intolerable to
her. Eddie transferred to North Texas State University and was one of the few
women of her day to study business administration. She graduated with a
degree in business in 1953.
After graduating, she worked as an assistant buyer for the Sanger-Harris
department store in Dallas. And in 1954, she joined American Airlines as a
stewardess. She flew to many of the great cities in the United States – New
York City and Chicago. She also traveled the route to Mexico City, developing a
genuine affection for the culture.
At Texas Tech, Eddie Jean met Charles (Bill or Redbird) Williams. Sometime
after they left Tech, they reunited at a Texas Tech football game in Dallas.
Charles attended the University of Texas Law School and asked Eddie to marry
him. He decided not to continue studying law, and he and Eddie were married
on July 9, 1955.
Two sons came soon after, Michael in April of 1957 and Jeffery in August 1960.
Family and work-life were full and rewarding. Eddie Jean worked in several
roles: real estate broker; The Dallas Apparel Mart, assisting clothing line
representatives in selling their wares; Certified Real Estate Appraiser; fashion
designer; and mortgage broker.
Eddie is mainly remembered for her participation: in a bridge group that
stayed together and active for over 60 years, winning the club tennis
championship at Spring Valley Country Club, her activity in the Richardson
Woman's Club, serving on the Richardson Library board, playing golf, serving
as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and other community activities too numerous to
mention.
She was a consummate Mom, not just to her sons but also to many in the
neighborhood, serving as a stable force. She corrected her sons as need be,
protected them from threats, and pushed them to achieve. We were blessed
to have such a fierce and loving woman to call “Mom.” She positively
impacted so many lives in subtle and obvious ways.
After the death of Charles, Eddie ultimately moved to Washington State, where
Jeff and Mike had made their homes. For most of the 18 months, she lived in
Vancouver, Washington, where she enjoyed an independent lifestyle with
weekly happy hours, a book club, and art classes. Unfortunately, she suffered
significant health setbacks beginning in February 2022, finally passing away
just three weeks short of her 90th birthday on April 22, 2022. She is greatly
missed.
Eddie Jean Williams is survived by her two sons: Michael (Diane) and Jeffery,
Granddaughters; Nula Fisher, Rebecca Williams, and Alexandra Williams and one grandson, Seth Williams.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TedDickeyFuneral.com for the Williams family.
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