Shug was born in Meridian, MS, to William Sam Williams and Maude Roscoe in 1922. “Shug” (affectionately short for Sugar), and her husband of 72 years moved to Greenville, MS., where they lived for 46 years before relocating to Semmes, Alabama, in 2006.
She is survived by her 3 children, Barbara Hochstettler (Chuck Bishop) of Findlay, Ohio. Sunshine Cochran (Mickey), of Semmes, Alabama. Butch Stallings (Rhonda) of Boyle, MS. Seven Grandchildren; Wendy Hochstettler Cagle (Christian), Melissa Cochran Strickland (Robbie), Mikey Cochran (Kasey), Bo Stallings (Sarah Jane), Ben Stallings (Heidi), Zach Stallings, and Eli Stallings. 11 Great-grand children: Lauren and Evan Cagle, Grant and Michael Strickland, Aniston, Ava, and Ambree Cochran; Lilly Grace, Adalyn, Ann Blakeley, and Bayes Stallings, 4 half-sisters and brother: Thelma Murtha, Lois Gibson, Jeri Rose Browning, Haley Ingaglia, and John Wayne Williams. Shug was preceded in death by her husband, William A Stallings, in 2012.
In her later years, one way Shug stayed abreast of her children’s lives was to ask the question: “What did you accomplish today?” She challenged herself with this. If there was something that had to be done, she made sure it was done! If you gave her a cantaloupe, she planted the seeds. If you came to her home, her first concern was to make sure you had something to eat. Her sewing ability did not stop with just making beautiful clothes for her family. She could upholster furniture and make drapes to her standard of perfection.
Her mother died when she was just 6 years old, and life began to present her with many challenges. She willingly quit school at the age of 12 to help support the then large, growing family. Her work ethics were noticed in the sock factory where she went to work. She was given the “privilege” of working double shifts! Which she did, with pride. Shug attributed her strong back and body to the days she spent picking cotton in the Mississippi fields, along side her sharecropper father.
She was an achiever! She worked as a beautician during the war, then she stayed at home to take care of her family as long as she could! When the need arose, she went to work outside the home. She worked at the local five and dime store, Newberry soda fountain. She was a receptionist for Dr. Crowder’s dentist office. She was the first employee at the first McDonald’s in Greenville, MS. Finally, retiring as floor Supervisor at JC Penney with retirement benefits.
W.O.R.K. was not a four letter word Shug was afraid of, and this gives new meaning to her never-ending question: “What did you accomplish today?”
Shug was a woman of deep, genuine faith in God. Her faith was not limited to “Sunday only”. She lived it everyday. She encouraged her family to pray about everything. If you needed direction, her “go to” phrase was “Pray about it, you’ll know what to do.” If answers seemed slow coming, her “go to” phrase was “Pray harder!” She was faithful to the end with her tithes…on her gross income. She never wanted to cheat the Lord who had been so faithful to her. She always had plenty, and more, to share with others. Her bottom line, common denominator for everyone was: “Are they a Christian?” If so, she knew everything else would be okay.
Her unforgettable laughter, fishing, sewing, crocheting, canning, shopping, cooking, gardening, oil painting, bird watching, animal feeding, football games, table games, her incredible memory for seemingly minor details relating to your life…these are just some of the reasons this “Super Woman” will be remembered forever by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
The family wishes to express our sincere thanks to Orchard Assembly of God, and Fountain of Life church for their unending love and friendship to our parents. The Semmes Senior Citizens Center, Kindred Hospice Care, and the many wonderful friends and caregivers who assisted so lovingly with Shug. You will never be forgotten, and forever appreciated.
The funeral will be held at Orchard Assembly of God church, Friday, June 18th. Visitation will start at 10:00, interment will immediately follow the service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes all memorials to be given to Orchard Assembly of God, Missions Dept., 10245 Howells Ferry Rd, Semmes, Alabama 36575.
