Frances Williams

Frances Williams, a beloved mom, grandmommie, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the age of 90. Born and raised in Apex, North Carolina, Frances’s life was a testament to her unwavering love for family, faith, and community.

Her early years were filled with cherished memories of Sundays with her grandparents and close bonds with cousins. She graduated from Apex High School and East Carolina College. Frances began a long and impactful career as a teacher. For over 37 years, she shaped young minds with passion and creativity—her meticulously crafted bulletin boards were legendary. Her career as a teacher was honored with a street designated “Frances Williams Way” for a year at St. Timothy’s School.

Frances married Tommy Williams on August 1, 1959, they remained happily married for 55 years until Tommy passed in 2014. Frances loved to travel, especially on memorable bus trips with Tommy and friends.

A woman of deep faith, she was a member of Olive Chapel Baptist Church before joining Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, where she remained an active member for decades. She had a special love for gospel music and was a regular at Ron’s Barn, rarely missing a Thursday night.

A devoted NC State fan, she enjoyed tailgating and cheering on the Wolfpack with her family. For over thirty years, Frances spent summers at her Cherry Grove beach house, making treasured memories. In retirement, she found joy in caring for her grandchildren, cross-stitching, painting, and documenting life’s moments in over seventy photo albums. She also loved to play cards and games with family and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the devoted staff at Coastal Pointe for their love, compassion, and exceptional care.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Watts and Grace Horton, her brother, Wayne Horton, Sister in law Joyce Emerson, and her dearest friend and college roommate, Ann Langley. Frances is survived by her son Jeff Williams and wife JoAnne, daughter Denise Williams and husband Jamie, grandchildren Kolby and Paxton, and siblings-in-law; Dorothy W. O’Neal and husband Buddy, Harold J. Williams and wife Sandy, and Hudson Emerson, husband of Joyce.

The family will receive friends at Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service 2:00 pm. For those attending the Celebration please feel free to wear Easter colors as Frances loved the colors of Spring!

The Interment for immediate family will be held immediately after the service in the Chapel of Memories at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be presented to Trinity Baptist Church https://tbcraleigh.com/, the Baptist Children's Home of NC, https://www.bchfamily.org/ or St. Judes Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/