Mary Williams' Obituary
DECATUR- Mary Elizabeth (Godwin) Williams, 81 of Decatur, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 9, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Services to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 14, 2009 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Decatur, conducted by Father Chuck Reischman. Inurnment will be in the St. John’s columbarium. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s Episcopal Church or to Millikin University. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Mary was born on February 23, 1928, in London, England a twin daughter of Marion G. and Elizabeth “Lye” P. (Gifford) Godwin. She married William E. “Bill” Williams on December 24, 1951 in Decatur and he passed away in 1997. Mary graduated from Millikin University and received her Master’s degree from the University of Illinois. She taught school for nineteen years and was a grade school principal for two schools retiring in 1988. She was a certified reading teacher and received an award of excellence from the State of Illinois for her work as a principal. She was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Mary was a member of South Side Country Club, Pi Beta Phi, PEO Chapter BC and the Millikin Alumni Association. Mary enjoyed life to the fullest and traveled extensively with her husband and sister.
Surviving are her twin sister: Betty Anne Watkins of Decatur, brother: Franklin Gifford Godwin of Bury, West Sussex, England, her nieces and nephews whom she treated like her own children: Elizabeth Anne Maurer and her husband Dr. James of Maryland Heights, MO., Dr. Brian D. Watkins and his wife Debra of Gurnee, IL., Mary Margaret “Marti” Cherry and husband John Michael of Houston, TX., and Bruce William Watkins and his wife Margee Sullivan of Boulder, CO., great nieces and nephews: Adam Godwin Watkins, Eric Robert Winegar, Amanda Elizabeth Winegar, Molly Sullivan Watkins and special cousins: Bruce and Joanne Leonard and their daughters Janie, Julie and Susan as well as her brother’s children: Frances, Fey and Romy.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
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