Rose Mary Williams

Those Who Loved Me When I am gone, release me and let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You must not tie yourself to me with tears, be thankful for our beautiful years. I gave my love to you and know it was from the heart. You can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must. Then let your grief be comforted by trust, It is only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your hearts. I won’t be far away, for life goes on, So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you will hear all my love around you soft and clear, and then when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile, and say “Welcome Home.”

As we retrace the footprints of Rose Mary Jones Williams, we can only give thanks for the many lives she touched and enriched along her life’s journey.

Rose, or Rosemary as we all knew her, began her journey of life on March 25, 1957, in Delight, Arkansas as the daughter of Vernell and Gracie Jones. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church. Rosemary was a dedicated and active member of Harrison Chapel serving in various capacities such as choir member, member of the kitchen committee, she was inducted into Harrison Chapel Wall of Fame, Antoine Community Choir, and Division D choir.

Rosemary grew up to be a loving, fun-spirited and intelligent young lady. Rosemary was a 1975 graduate of Delight High School where she excelled as a student. Her outgoing personality channeled her into being one of the most popular girls at Delight High School. Her friends and family remember her as always having a keen sense of fashion. She loved beautiful shoes, dresses, and jewelry.

Rosemary married the love of her life, Claude “Pete” Williams on August 8, 1992. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward” (NKJV). The Lord blessed Rosemary with a healthy boy, Dedric, of whom she loved and nurtured immensely, taking her role as a mother as her most prized attribute. She worked hard and made many sacrifices to take care of her family. Her son was her pride and joy. She taught him to respect himself and to follow the golden rule --"Treat others as you would want to be treated.”

Rosemary was a dedicated employee of the Murfreesboro Nursing Center where she had been employed since 1984. She currently worked as the Dietary Manager and she loved her job so much. She possessed a nurturing and loving spirit that transcended above her job title. She always went above and beyond her job and made her co-workers feel valued.

During all of her 60 seasons, Rosemary made friends regardless of race, gender, faith or creed. She freely offered wise counsel, gave generously to those in need and inspired everyone who crossed her path. Family, as well as friends, will miss her sense of humor, smile and love, but will never forget Rosemary’s spirit and compassion.

Although Rosemary lived what some may call a short life, those who were touched by her understood that the quality of her existence far exceeded the quantity of time many of us spent with her.

She was welcomed to her eternal home by her father Vernell, her husband Claude “Pete” and her brother Charles Jones.

She leaves to celebrate and honor her life’s journey; her son, Dedric (Robin) Jones of Arkadelphia; her beloved mother, Gracie Jones of Delight; three grandchildren that she loved and adored, Malik, Diamond, and Adelyn Jones; her two sister, Sandra Lockridge of Dallas, TX, Lorretta Richardson of Los Angeles, CA, and two brothers; Johnny Jones of Delight and Fernell (Patricia) Jones of McNab. Her two brothers-in-law; Willis “Bo” (Helen) Williams and Stevie (Regina) Williams of Hot Springs; her two sisters-in-law: Trina Jones of Okolona and Lois (John) Ware of Arkadelphia. A special friend, Mrs. Betty Hunter. She also leaves her aunts and uncles host of nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Family Hour will be at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Burial will be in Harrison Chapel Cemetery.

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