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Cancer claims former State Rep. Marilyn Williams

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Dexter Daily Statesman

Marilyn Williams 1954-2009

After a two-year battle against cancer, Marilyn Williams, 55, former state representative from the 159th district, died at her Wappapello residence early Wednesday afternoon.

Williams, whose hometown was Dudley, was first elected to her House seat in a special election held in 1991 to fill the House seat of State Rep. Jerry T. Howard. Howard had been elected to fill the Senate seat vacated by Stephen Sharp when Sharp was appointed to the bench.

Williams served consecutive terms in the Missouri House of Representatives until she was defeated by now Sen. Rob Mayer of Dexter in the 2000 election.

Williams was a well known figure in her hometown area and across Southeast Missouri, having served in a number of leadership roles throughout the community and at the state level. She was owner of Fiddler's restaurant in Dexter and was the recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Eastern District of Missouri in 1986.

She had also been honored as Beta Sigma Phi's Woman of the Year and as the recipient of the Democratic organization's Bess Truman Award.

Williams served as president of both Dexter's and Dudley's Chambers of Commerce, and served also as a Stoddard County Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) board member. She was a 1972 Dexter High School graduate and attended both Three Rivers Community College and Southwest Baptist College.

During her tenure serving the area as state representative, Williams served as chairman of the House Agri-Business Committee and on the Appropriations-Natural and Economic Resources Committee, the Banks and Financial Institutions Committee, the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Committee, the Fees and Salaries Committee and the Governmental Organization and Review Committees.

Following her tenure in the House, Williams was appointed to serve as director of Professional Registration for the state of Missouri for a term from 2000 until 2004, after which she served in various capacities within the state government.

Williams is remembered by current Executive Director of Dexter's Chamber of Commerce Janet Coleman, as an industrious advocate of small business owners and entrepreneurs and a lifetime supporter of efforts within the Democratic party.

"Marilyn was a dear friend and I cherish the special moments I was privileged to have with her," Coleman said this morning.

"When she was in office in Jefferson City, I saw first-hand how dedicated she was to her constituents and to working for the citizens in her district. I have several classic memories of Marilyn that I will forever cherish."

The Williams family has requested that memorials to Marilyn Williams be sent to the Bayless Taylor Scholarship Fund which was established upon the recent death of Bayless Taylor, Williams' father. Memorials should be designated in memory of Marilyn Williams. A family member confirms that each year a scholarship will be granted to a female high school graduate from the area who plans to pursue a career in public service. Those memorials should be directed to the office of Edward Jones, P.O. Box 35, Dexter, Mo. 63841.

Marilyn Williams leaves two sons, Richard and Roy Williams. No memorial service is planned at this time.

Comments

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Mrs.Williams was a real lady.She fought a tough battle,and my heart aches for her family.

Go rest high on that mountain,your work on Earth is done...

-- Posted by Yellow Rose of Essex on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 3:52 PM

My prayers are with family and friends..may they know the peace that goes beyond explanation. My heart is breaking and at the same time rejoicing for Marilyn...she will have no more pain, no more sorrow, and for that, I am glad.

-- Posted by BarbaraNTexas on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 5:24 PM

Couins Marilyn i will miss you. i love ya lots. u made a differents in the community. I looked up to you and the things you did. But i just keep reminding my self that your not suffering anymore. and you will aways be with us. God needed a good angel like you. I will see you again someday. love ya lots.

-- Posted by saraowens on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 6:50 PM

Ditto on all the comments thusfar. She was a good lady that will be missed.

-- Posted by robbincrosby on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 7:32 PM

A lovely lady! My world has a big hole in it now. So VERY sorry.

-- Posted by geezerette on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 8:04 PM

Marilyn was such a WARRIOR to go though what she did. She was such a wonderful lady and I am so very proud to say we were friends in high school. The time just disappears. Of course, many of us remember her as Marilyn Taylor. Doesn't matter. This is such a blow to all of us. I would like to share something if it's okay. It is exactly what Marilyn would say...I think...about a couple of other folks as wonderful as she was....

It is called..."The Ship"....words read at my Dad's and Mom's graveside.....in 1997 and 2003..

THE SHIP

I AM STANDING UPON THE SEASHORE.

A SHIP AT MY SIDE SPREADS HER WHITE SAILS IN THE MORNING BREEZE AND STARTS FOR THE BLUE OCEAN.

SHE IS AN OBJECT OF BEAUTY AND STRENGTH, AND I WILL STAND AND WATCH HER UNTIL...AT LENGTH..SHE IS ONLY A RIBBON, OR WHITE CLOUD...JUST WHERE THE SEA AND SKY COME TO MINGLE WITH EACH OTHER.

THEN, SOMEONE AT MY SIDE SAYS: "THERE! SHE'S GONE!!

GONE WHERE?...GONE FROM MY SIGHT. THAT IS ALL....

SHE IS JUST AS LARGE IN MAST AND HULL AND SPAR AS SHE WAS WHEN SHE LEFT MY SIDE...AND JUST AS ABLE TO BEAR HER LOAD OF LIVING FREIGHT TO THE PLACE OF DESTINATION.

HER DIMINISHED SIZE IS IN ME, NOT IN HER....

AND JUST AT THE MOMENT WHEN SOMEONE AT MY SIDE SAYS: THERE, SHE'S GONE!!!.... THERE ARE OTHER VOICES READY TO TAKE UP THE GLAD SHOUT.....

"THERE, SHE COMES!!"

AND THAT IS DYING.....

I do sincerely believe there are so many others that were waiting for Marilyn to come over. They gathered her in their arms and she is HOME. God Bless you Marilyn.

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 9:23 PM

..and God Bless you too Barbara Cagle......your heart will be okay. Marilyn is just where you said...home with her Lord...and watching over all of us.

-- Posted by Bearcat72 on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 9:27 PM

Thank you, Darlin'...yes, my heart will be okay, in fact, it is swollen with so much emotion..love, pride, joy even...and remember your saying you will not miss our 40th class reunion? Well, how 'bout we do it in honor of our Marilyn? I'm going to suggest it to Pam, and Sherry Frields Burnett. Sherry is still in Dexter in the real estate business. I didn't see her when I was up there over the holiday, but I'm sure Pam will be able to pass the suggestion around to all who are in the area..let me know what you think, my friend...

-- Posted by BarbaraNTexas on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 10:10 PM

My Granddaughter and her Son Roy are to be married this month and Marilyn was so looking forward to the wedding.She will be there with us in spirit thru it all

What a lovely lady and a fighter.she never complained to the very end.She went so peacefully..

-- Posted by MOGAL on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 10:12 PM

What a wonderful woman who showed us all how to face adversity with grace, courage, and hope. She is in a better place watching over us all.

God Bless this family during this tough time.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 10:07 AM

Eventhough, I was a more recent friend of Marilyn's she really touched my heart and we became close. I will miss her very very much.

Love your friend,

Ruth

-- Posted by ruthannlamb on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 1:44 PM

The world is a better place for having had Marilyn in it. She is a testimony to love, truth, and courage. My prayers are for her loved ones who must learn to live without her presence.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 4:59 PM

I have moved away from Dexter and take the Daily Statesman to keep up with what's going on in my home town..I was very sad to read about Marilyn's passing..she was a great person whom I respected very much..my sympathies to her family. mdb0906insc

-- Posted by mdb0906insc on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 6:48 PM

On earth, you were as close to an angel as God would allow. Now God needs you for the real thing. You will always be our angel.

We miss you dearly. Goodbye sweet Auntie M!

Love and kisses,

Erin, Jerry, and Jake

-- Posted by Southworth on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:01 PM

Marilyn has always been a great inspiration and cherished loved one to our family. "Aunt Marilyn" is how I always referred to her even though we weren't technically related.

Words can not describe how deeply she will be missed and always loved. No one has ever showed such a love for life, outstanding devotion to her family and friends, and spectacular since of humor as Marilyn.

She lived her life with such grace and compassion for others just as she exited. I am thankful she is in Heaven and we will see her again. We love you Aunt Marilyn.

Love: Amy, Hailey, and Braeden (Prophet)

-- Posted by AmyShell on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:02 PM

I remember Marilyn from jr high band and in high school and she was always kind to everyone not pretentious a genuine friend to many of us in her

class at school. Am glad for the relief that walking through the veil called death has brought her and those whom she is now with. Prayers and god bless to her family.

-- Posted by jstkrusin on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 9:00 PM

Besides the public service that Marilyn provided for all of us, she was also so dedicated to her family and friends. Many days she raced from place to place, taking care of everyone. I was always amazed at her energy!

The Class of 1972 has always been so close. Pam, Carol, Barry, Punky, Margaret, Snid, Carolee, David, Barbara, Steve, Runt, Cindy, Paula, Glen Ellen, David, Greg, Bobby, Mike, Jerry..you all have a Guardian Angel now. Rely on her because she will be there for you.

-- Posted by lovebooks on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 9:08 PM

She was the best of best friends in school and out. I did not know she was sick I have been gone from the area since 92. We lose contact with great friends as our lives take us on different journeys and we always say the next time but this time and many others it is too late. I was proud to call her friend. She once wrote in my year book that I was her friend through thick or thin, if you cannot say something nice dont say anything at all or I will sock you in the jaw. Loving thoughts go out to her family and all her friends. May God be with you all.

Paige Tanner....(Nelda Sims)

-- Posted by Paige on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 12:34 PM

Marilyn was a good friend to alot of people. She was deeply loved by all who knew her.

She will be missed by more of the Class of 72

Gail, Rhonda, Sue, Sherry, Belinda, Karen, Vickie, Brenda, Judy, Steve, Dennis, Carl, John, Jean, Lin, Bob, Terri, Gary, Cindy, Pam, Nancy, Rick, Sam, Raymond, Diane. In other words, the entire class of 1972 will miss her dearly.

-- Posted by horselover72 on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 2:05 PM

RIP sweet lady, blessings now to surviving family members and friends.

-- Posted by Dexterite1 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 6:57 AM

My profound condolences to the Taylor and Williams families on their loss of daughter, sister, wife and friend. I remember Marilyn as a youngster, and a neighbor of my cousins out near Dudley. May she be at peace, and may the love and peace of her remembrance be with you all, she rests with the ages, yet she lives with you all in love and memory. My prayers and thoughts are with you all, kkcaver.

-- Posted by kkcaver47 on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, at 8:34 PM

I too was a member of the Class of 1972. Marilyn was a dear friend to everyone. I don't know of anyone that would dare to say anything against her. She will be greatly missed. Please let me know when the ned reunion is and I too think she should be honored. My condolences to the Williams and Taylor families for their loss of a loved one.

Lee (Worley) Hufford

-- Posted by lhufford on Sun, Sep 20, 2009, at 10:04 PM