Mary Elizabeth Williams

Mary Elizabeth Williams, of Luther Manor in Hannibal, Missouri was called from this life to be with her Lord on August 4, 2020 after a long decline.  She was 98 years of age.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Monday, August 10, 2020, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hannibal.  Pastor Mark Albee will officiate.  Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park.

Visitation will be held 1:00 pm until the time of the service Monday at the church.

Family and friends may view the service live via Facebook under the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel page at 2:00 PM on Monday. The service may also be viewed on Mary's memorial page Monday evening at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.

Mrs. Williams was born Mary Elizabeth Martin in LaGrange, Missouri on July 15, 1922, the daughter of Harvey Carlos Martin and Nancy Grace Henry Martin.  Growing up on a farm near LaGrange, she was close to her older sister Catherine Marie, who pre-deceased her in 2001.  As a junior in high school she moved with her family to Collinsville, IL and from there attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned a degree in elementary education. It was there that she met her husband of sixty years, the late Bernard M. Williams, mayor of Hannibal from 1973-75.  They married on January 1, 1946, and moved to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where she taught first grade.  They came to Hannibal in 1950.

Mrs.Williams taught primary grades at A.D. Stowell School from 1963 to 1982, and is still remembered by many of her students there.  She was a very active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School class, played a leading role in the Women's Missouary Union, and for a time, provided the piano accompaniment for worship services.

Mary's primary role in life, however, as  a devoted wife and caring mother of four boys.  She is remembered by those who knew her as conscientious, cheerful and kind.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her sons, Gary and his wife Mary Kay of Arvada, CO, Jim and his wife Cathy of Hannibal, Denny and his wife Debbie of Loch Lloyd, MO and Stan and his wife Keri of St. Peters, MO., nineteen grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren, and two nieces, Brenda Ginther and Sandra Newport.

The family is grateful to members of Immanuel Baptist Church who visited her often during her years at Luther Manor, and to the staff of Luther Manor for their attention, both personal and professional to her needs.

Memorial gifts may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church or to Hannibal  LaGrange University, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family, video tribute viewed and funeral service viewed at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.

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