Mary Jean (Beard) Williams

Mary Jean Beard Williams, 92, Attalla, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Birmingham. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James J.B. Williams; her parents, Gil Wyeth and Helen Jones Beard; her twin brother, Dr. Frank Beard; sister, Dorothy "Dot" Jones and son-in-law, Morris Culberson.

She is survived by her five daughters: Denise (Alan) Brigham, Jean Marie (Gary) Cinotto, Cathy Culberson, Janice (Thomas) Blansett, and Beth (Tobin) Hodge; grandchildren Robbie (Debbie) Cinotto, Brian Brigham, Dominick (Rachel) Cinotto, Antonio Cinotto, Caroline (Chris) Culberson Meyer, Tyler (Claudia) Culberson, Melanie (Cade) Blansett Browning, Christopher Blansett, Trevor and Austin Hodge; and great-grandchildren Kendall, Gabriel, Caleb, Landon, Benjamin, Henry, Elizabeth Grace, Derrick and Rachel.

Jean was raised in Alabama City. She graduated from Emma Sansom High School, attended Mary Washington College, graduated from Auburn University and worked at Republic Steel until she became a full-time mother to her daughters who she and her husband raised to be independent, educated women.

She was a devoted member of The First United Methodist Church of Attalla. Her church family was dear to her and she loved singing in the choir for many years and serving in many capacities. The Williams owned a farm in Keener and shared a deep love of the people and that area.

The family wishes to thank those who cared for her at Brookdale University Park and became her friends, especially Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Attalla or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Visitation will be held at Attalla First Methodist Church on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. with a Service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Keener, Alabama.