Obituary of Johnnie Mae Williams

Funeral services for Johnnie Mae Williams, age 81, of Wedowee will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Benefield Funeral Chapel with Bro. Willie Whack officiating.  Burial will follow at Sky View Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Mrs. Williams passed away at peace on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in her Alabama home with her husband by her side.

Mrs. Johnnie Mae Williams is survived by her husband, Mr. John Williams, Jr., of Wedowee; two daughters, Mrs. Pamela Rolle (Antoine) of Boynton Beach, FL, and Dr. Yvette Williams-Brown (Armann) of Austin, TX; four grandchildren, Zachary Rolle, Austen Brown, Anderson Brown, and Makayla Rolle; her sister, Ms. Erma Lane of Wedowee; two brothers, Mr. Thomas Davenport and Mr. Jimmy Davenport (Karen), both of Decatur, GA; her sisters-in-law, Ms. Willie Mae Davenport of Sharpsburg, GA, Ms. Gwendolyn Epps Welch of Douglasville, GA, Mrs. Carolyn Hughes of Norcross, GA, Ms. Marilyn Knight of Sylacauga, AL, Mrs. Connie Radford (Ron) of Roanoke, AL, Ms. Weltha Trumer of Douglasville, GA, Ms. Debra Williams of Talladega, AL, Mrs. Zabrina Zeber (John) of Rosemount, MN; brothers-in-law, Mr. Paul Williams (Laura) of Carrollton, GA, Mr. Stanley Williams of Wedowee, AL, Mr. Danny Williams (Minnie) of Lafayette, AL, Mr. Christopher O’Neal (Wyvetta) of Opelika, AL, Mr. Robert O’Neal of Chicago, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Williams’ family and friends.

A Wedowee native, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Williams (née Davenport) was born on August 22, 1939, in Wedowee, Alabama, to her parents Mr. John and Mrs. Ruby Heard Davenport.  She graduated high school from Randolph County Training School and later went on to obtain advanced training from Wynona in Birmingham, Alabama, to become a seamstress and dressmaker.  She married her husband, John Williams, Jr., on May 19, 1973, and their union was blessed with two daughters, Pamela Rolle (née Williams) and Yvette Williams-Brown.  Together, they traveled and lived in several states and countries, making many friends along the way.  She was a devout Christian and member of Southside Church of Christ in Opelika and worked as a seamstress for Lamar Manufacturing. 

Mrs. Williams never met a stranger and always welcomed anyone with ample food and warm laughter.  She was an avid gardener and loved to sew and she generously shared these gifts with her family, friends, and community.  Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, James Davenport and Jean Davenport.