Mary Jane Williams

Mary was born April 8, 1922, in Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital, the daughter of late Harrie and Sadie (Griffith) Brown. She was the eldest of three daughters.

A graduate of Lansing Central High School, Mary served as a “Rosie the Riveter”, working in aircraft assembly during World War II. On October 24, 1942, she married Jesse LeRoy Williams of Lansing. Mary worked for local Lansing businesses for many years but her proudest service was her over 30 years as a volunteer in the McLaren Hospital Gift Shop. Mary was a lifelong member of First Christian Church (Disciples) of Lansing, where she served in many ways, including in the Women’s Fellowship and as a Sunday School teacher. An avid quilter and cross-stitcher, Mary leaves behind a legacy of beautiful crafts.

Mary is survived by her three children: David (Kay) Wiliams of Gaylord, MI, Nancy (Monty) Bieber of Holt, and Harold (Debbie Stern) Williams of Tucson, AZ and by six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Jesse, and by her two sisters, Mildred Bradshaw and Lee Nowland, both of Ann Arbor.

Mary’s ashes will be interred next to her late husband at Gunnisonville Cemetery. Contributions to a memorial in Mary’s name may be made to First Christian Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Williams family.