Dorothy Evelyn Shirley Williams (98) of Jackson, MS died April 4, 2022.   Dorothy was born at home in Calhoun County, MS, November 18, 1923.  She grew up in Chickasaw County as a farmer's daughter where she learned to pick cotton.  Dorothy was Salutatorian in the 1941 senior class of 29 students at Houlka High School and voted 'Most Studious Girl'.  Shortly thereafter, she took the train to Jackson, MS, where she found a room to stay, enrolled in Draughon's Business College and worked at McKesson & Robbins Drug Co.

On June 14, 1947, she married Frank Bryan Williams, Jr. and together they had three children, the late Shirley Williams Pouncey, the late Patti Williams, and son Bryan Williams.  All three children were educated at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.

When Dorothy left Houlka, never could she have imagined that one day she would walk on a portion of the Great Wall of China.  She and Frank shared many adventures traveling the world together.  Dorothy enjoyed the friends she made through many bridge circles and clubs.  While her daughter Shirley and she lived 200 miles apart, they would daily love to share, via phone, conversation and a late afternoon glass of wine.  Her family and Sunday School Class even toasted her on her 90 ^th birthday at the Fairview Inn in Jackson, a favorite of hers each Mother's Day.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Bryan Williams, Jr., her brother Russell Shirley, and her daughters Shirley Williams Pouncey and Patti Williams.  Her parents were Rosco and Clara Shirley.  She is survived by their son Bryan Williams of Jackson, her sister Faye Bishop of Houlka, and son-in-law Andrew (Kate) Pouncey of Germantown, TN, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.   A small ceremony will be held Thursday, April 7 at 1 p.m., under the pavilion in Lakewood Memorial Park at 6000 Clinton Blvd. in Jackson.  Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS. 39211.