Mrs. Marlene Williams, 91, of Lawrenceville, GA (formerly of LaFayette) died Sunday, September 17, 2023, at her residence. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Powell Chapel United Methodist Church, 100 3rd Place NE, LaFayette, AL at 1:00 p.m. (CST) with Rev. Ed Vines & Rev. Kelsey Barnes officiating. Interment will be in Handy cemetery, LaFayette. The remains will lie in state at the church from 12:00 p.m. (CST) until the funeral hour. Public viewing and visitation with the family will be Friday, September 22, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (CST) at Vines Funeral Home Chapel.
If you are unable to attend, the services will be live streamed on Vines Funeral Home Facebook page.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her children: Sylvia Cooks, Lawrenceville, GA; and Jerome (Lela) Williams, Lancaster, CA; siblings: Elizabeth Jackson, Atlanta, GA, Carol Ann Crawford and Lenwood (Mary) Crawford both of Los Angeles, CA, George (Jennell) Crawford, Douglasville, GA and Tommy (Mary) Crawford, Dacula, GA; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
OBITUARY
Marlene Williams was born into this world on June 12, 1932, to Henry Sr. and Eva Crawford in Chambers County, Alabama. Marlene was one of thirteen children. She confessed Christ at an early age and joined Powell United Methodist Church of Lafayette, Alabama. Marlene was educated in Lafayette, where she graduated from Chambers County Training School.
In Marlene's early adult years, she worked at Leverette Café. Also, she was a major support around the Crawford family home assisting her mom in taking care of her younger siblings. Perhaps, unknowing to Marlene, this would prepare her for her future. She later married Amos Lee Williams Sr (who preceded her in death). They formed a home in Atlanta, Georgia. Although, their union did not stand the test of time. It produced her love of her life. Her three children Jerome, Sylvia, and Tony.
Marlene later returned to her roots, from which it all began to finish raising her three children with the help of her mom. Marlene was a woman of God, with high character, strong morals, and a strong will. She was an example for her children to pattern their lives after. Even in her elder years she continued this with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As life would have it, Marlene enjoyed the fruits of her labor in Lawrenceville, Georgia were she was surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and siblings. She enjoyed many joyous occasions. Such as the annual Crawford Family Reunions, Birthdays, and Holidays. But! most of all, it was the showing of love that always caused her to tear up.
She was preceded in death by five brothers Charles Crawford (Atlanta, Georgia), Henry Crawford Jr.
(Detroit, Michigan), Billy Crawford (Decatur, Georgia), James Crawford (Detroit, Michigan), Donald Crawford (Lafayette, Alabama); two sisters Louise Beard (Atlanta, Georgia), Betty Smith (Los Angeles, California); and one son Tony Williams (Winder, Georgia).
