Joan W Williams

Joan “Mimi Joan“ Williams Wilbanks went to be with the Lord peacefully in her home on Dec. 28, 2020 in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 89. Joan is survived by two sons, Thomas Paul Williams, Jr. (Courtney),and Charles Clark Williams (Maye); daughter Jane Elizabeth Williams; grandchildren, Ashley Williams Moody, Autumn Marie Williams, Alexandria Grace Morris, Maye Williams Rangel, Grace Elizabeth Williams; great grandchildren, Thomas Warren Moody, Skye Marie Moody, Jake McClain Moody, and Jacquelyn Tess Moody; her sisters Wynn Wilbanks and Elnita Owens. She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Williams; brother Archie Wilbanks and sister Betty Woods.

Joan was born on September 13, 1931 in Laurens, South Carolina to Callie Watson Wilbanks and Flora Lee Schultz. She graduated from Laurens High School in 1948 where she was the homecoming queen and Tom was the fullback on the football team. He went on to play football at Furman but would hitchhike back to Laurens to see her. Soon after graduating they married July 30, 1954 and Tom enlisted in the Army where they were deployed to Germany. They had their first son, moved back to the states and made Birmingham their home in 1962 where the other children were born. She dedicated here life to supporting her husband, Tom, who went on to build Tom Williams Automotive. She gave her life to loving and caring for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a loving and devoted member and children’s teacher at Shades Mountain Baptist Church and often kept the babies at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. She was a long time member of the Ballet Women’s Committee. She was also an ambassador of the city of Birmingham where she would volunteer her time serving others. She gave generously to causes that touched her most including; Children’s Harbor, American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association and many more. Those that knew her, surely will especially miss her homemade pimento cheese!

The family will receive friends Wednesday December 30th at 2:30 at graveside.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joan’s life. A grave side service is scheduled for 3:00 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. Dr. Doug Dortch will officiate the ceremony. The family requests memorials be made to Children's Harbor located at Our Children's Highway, Children's Harbor, Alabama 35010.