Mary Jane Williams

Mary Jane Cooney Williams, age 54, born May 4th, 1959, passed away peacefully on March 31st, 2014. Mary Jane was filled with a love for the Lord, her family and friends, and the beach. She had a zest for life, and never met a stranger. She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, William T. Williams III, and her daughters, Patricia Ann Williams and Caroline Cooney Williams. She is also survived by her loving family, brothers and sisters: John Cooney and his wife Lizbeth, Gary Cooney and his wife Marie, Nancy Gardner and her husband Mike, Peggy Rafield and her husband Conrad, Kelly Cooney and his wife Maureen and Jobay Cooney and his wife Barbara, as well as 25 nieces and nephews and her many devoted friends. Her mother, Patricia Cooney, and her father, John Burke Cooney, precede her in death. She was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. She was a graduate of Homewood High School, and received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she also received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She was a kindergarten teacher for 14 years, an avid, competitive tennis player, a dedicated volunteer in advancing literacy through the Better Basics program, and a passionate supporter of Adopt A US Soldier program. On Wednesday, April 2, visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church to be followed by a celebration of life funeral mass at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Better Basics, 211 Summit Parkway, Suite 108, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.