Mary Williams

Mary Viola Williams, née Lincoln, 80, died peacefully on 18 March in Fort Myers, Florida in the presence of a dear friend.

Mary Viola was born to Mary Viola and Ludwell Lincoln of Waco, Texas on May 19, 1931. Following her education at Southern Methodist University and the Sorbonne in Paris, her marriage to an Army officer led to a life of travel and adventure, highlighted by stints in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Israel, where she made friends of people from many walks in life. A highly intelligent and creative spirit, Mary expressed herself through writing, cartooning, and a wide range of arts and crafts. She gave her children music, poetry, stories and an appreciation for the equality of all people and for the little gifts of life. She had a unique sense of style and a wacky but wonderful sense of humor. She gave the gift of laughter to all around her, even from a hospital bed.

It was Mary's Christian faith, however, that was the center of her life and sustained her through good times and bad. Her faith took her to ministries in northern Pennsylvania, northern Minnesota, and Texas. She continued this work to the end of her days; after settling into a retirement community in Fort Myers, she was in covenant with the Fort Myers Christian Outreach Center and played a vital role in the "Overcomers" Group there.

Mary was equally at home among diplomats, celebrities, the homeless and the Hell's Angels. She lived life in a way that sometimes defied convention but left her with few regrets. Mary is survived by her brother, Ludwell Lincoln, Jr.; her four children, Michael Lincoln Williams, Diane Williams Paul, Shelley Theresa Cummins and Melissa Suzanne Williams; seven grandchildren (Tate, Nicholas, Jenna, Jonathan, Evan, Gregory and Nathaniel) and four great-grandchildren (Lincoln, Ava, Brooklyn and Luci). Mary will be laid to rest on May 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas next to her parents and other generations of her colorful Texan family.