Early Sunday morning on Nov. 24, 2019, Mavis Barnes Williams, loving wife and mother passed away at the age of 80. 

Mavis grew up in LaGrange and graduated from Troup High School in 1957. She enjoyed playing on the high school basketball team, working with the school yearbook and participation in her favorite clubs. She was Miss Troup High in 1957. She married Ralph Williams on Feb. 14, 1958. They were married 61 years.

They moved to Chattanooga in 1960 where they raised their three children, Kim, Kelly and Jeff. They were in Chattanooga for 51 years except for 3 fun years they spent in Johnston, South Carolina, from 1996 to 1999.

She devoted her life to her church, her faith, her husband and raising their children. She was an active member of Concord Baptist Church in Chattanooga and while in South Carolina, they were active members at Johnston First Baptist.

They moved back to LaGrange in November of 2011. Upon moving back to LaGrange, Mavis and Ralph were welcomed into the Callaway Baptist Church family where they made many new friends.

For the last 40 years, she was affectionately called “Nanny” by her great grandchildren, grandchildren and children. She loved her family, friends, traveling, family get togethers, studying the bible, annual family trips to North Myrtle Beach, the art of hooking rugs, watching sports (especially Tennessee Women’s Basketball), flower gardening and birdwatching at her feeders.

She was very particular about her house, the way she presented herself in public, and living in a way that represented her Christian life. When people think of Mavis, the words that seems to always come to mind are “a true lady”.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie “C.V.” and Verna Barnes, brother Joel Barnes, sister Sheila Hill and her brother-in-law Quillian Hill. She is survived by her husband Ralph, her children, Kim Gilley, Kelly Williams (Chris) and Jeff Williams, sister Hazel Owens (Billy), brother Gerald Barnes (Laraine), sister Beverly Reeves (Johnny), sister-in-law Helen Barnes, and grandchildren Leslie Seigler, Jennifer Gilley, Blake Gilley, Clay Williams (Lana), Hunter Williams, Denver Williams, Kristal May (Jared),  great grandchildren Mavis Reeves and Annie Kay Seigler, Paxton, Grant, and Owen May and many nieces and nephews.

Even with her cancer diagnosis and all of the sickness, she walked in faith daily. Now she is no longer sick and is at peace. She touched many lives and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Georgia Hospice.

The gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 1  p.m. to 3 p.m. and the Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m. 

Services will be held at Callaway Baptist Church in LaGrange.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636