Alice Gene Williams passed away on Thursday, August 28 from problems arising out of an earlier heart attack suffered in March of this year. Devoted wife and mother?she will be missed!

Born to Florence Stringer and Leslie Gentry, Alice grew up in the delta region of Louisiana, near Tallulah. An only child, she developed a love for English and music under the direction of her mother?an elementary school teacher. Alice developed her vocal talents as a teenager, and as an accomplished soprano soloist once sang at the gubernatorial inauguration in Louisiana.

A graduate of Hillman College in Meridian, Mississippi, she married RM Williams in 1942, a then up and coming circuit riding Baptist preacher, who served four churches in and around Meridian, and joined him in a life devoted to Christian ministry. The couple relocated to the Dallas, Texas area in the mid-1940s while RM completed his seminary studies at Southwestern Theological Seminary. They then served in two Dallas area churches before relocating to Sherman, Texas to assume the pastorate of East Sherman Baptist Church (ESBC) where Pastor Williams served for 37 years?and ultimately became the dean of ministers of the city before retiring in 1984.

As a Proverbs 31 woman, Alice would prove to be the exemplary pastor's wife?always positive, always optimistic, always upbeat, and always supportive of her husband's ministry. She sang in the church choir, directed children's and youth choirs, and played the organ?an instrument she enjoyed immensely--at ESBC for over 40 years. At the time of her death she was serving as the pianist for Crutchfield Heights Baptist Church. She was a devotee of music--supporting the area civic musical arts--and was a life-long member of the Bomar Cramer musical club.

She was preceded in death by her dear husband, RM, in 2002. She is survived by her four children: John L. and Anita Williams of Sacramento, California; Robert M. Williams of Sherman, Texas; David C. and Sandra Williams of Weston, Florida; Sue Anne and John Miller of Sherman, Texas. Grandchildren: Kimberlene Murphy, Lori Lancaster, Brad Williams, Tiffany Savage, Jarrod Williams, Chad Tuley, Matthew Tuley, and Mark Miller along with five step-grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving visitors at Waldo Funeral Home on Monday evening, 9/1 at 6 pm. A Memorial service is planned at ESBC for Tuesday, 9/2 at 2 pm. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to East Sherman Baptist Church at 601 S. Willow, Sherman, TX 75090.

The words of an old song proclaim, ?If I have helped someone along the way?then my living will not be in vain.? Alice Williams lived her life in service to others. Her model of the Christian life was an encouragement to many. Her living was not in vain.