Jewell S. Williams

Marietta Monitor

Friday, July 6, 2001

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Jewell S. Williams, 91, of Ardmore, were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 5, at the First Christian Church in Marietta with Dr. Doug Miller officiating.

Mrs. Williams was born March 2, 1910, in the Eastman community, the daughter of N.A. and Flora Leah Carlton Sanders. She died Saturday, June 30, 2001, in Mercy Memorial Health Center in Ardmore.

Mrs. Williams had lived in Love County most of her life. She and Sims Williams were married in Henrietta, Texas, on October 8, 1950, and he preceded her in death November 14, 1989. Mrs. Williams began her career as a beautician as an apprentice in 1928 in a beauty salon owned by her aunt. She then owned a beauty salon, the "Beauty Box" in Marietta, and later leased a beauty salon in Daube's Department Store in Ardmore. While living in Altus, she owned and operated the Cox Hotel, in addition to working at the Beauty School in Altus and having a Merle Norman franchise. Mrs. Williams also taught at the Beauty Schools in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Ardmore, and was a Cosmetology Instructor at the Southern Oklahoma Vo-Tech in Ardmore.

Mrs. Williams was the first RSVP director in Love County. She also served on the board of directors for the Chickasaw Library and assisted in getting a library in Love County. Mrs. Williams also donated the Sanders Center to the people of Love County. She was a Life Elder of the First Christian Church in Marietta, serving as a member of all of the church committees and as a member of the building committee for the new church. Mrs. Williams was actively involved in civic affairs and functions for the betterment of Love County.

Survivors include three nieces, Cynthia S. Weldon and Jane Sanders Galt of Ardmore and Leah P. Bond of New Orleans, Louisiana; a nephew, Charles E. Pearce of the Greenville community; and two grandchildren, John Williams and Gary C. Williams Jr.

Mrs. Williams was also preceded in death by her parents, N.A. and Flora Sanders; a stepson, Gary C. Williams on December 24, 1990; a brother, T.I. Sanders; and three sisters, Sybil Asher, Hazel Duckworth and Opal R. Pearce.

Pallbearers were John Williams, Chris Williams, Travis Galt, Charles Pearce, James Howard and Sam Knight.

Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery in Marietta under the direction of Flanagan- Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church, 210 N.W. 3rd, Marietta, OK; or the Sanders Center, 405 West Main, Suite 101, Marietta, OK.