Mary Lucinda (Thomas) Williams, age 78, of Brownwood, passed away Wednesday June 16, 2021. Funeral Services will be held Friday June 25, 2021 at 11:00am at New Testament Holiness Church. Viewing will be held Thursday from 11:00am to 5:30pm at Brownwood Funeral Home.

Mary Lucinda (Thomas) Williams was born to the late Joseph Columbus Thomas and Jimmie Lee Morris, in Marshall Texas on February 15, 1943. She was the eighth of eleven children born with a biblical foundation rooted in Joshua 24:15 “As for me and My house, We will serve the Lord.”

When she was a little girl the Thomas family moved from Marshall Texas to Bakersfield, California during the Great Migration when southerners moved from the South up to the North or West to improve their lot. Raised in a strict religious household by ‘Reverend Thomas,’ in the Baptist Church at a young age Mary Lue began her faithful, life-long service to the Lord. Moreover, her strict Baptist Father emphasized uncompromising faith in Jesus Christ and an equally strict emphasis on hard work. As a result, Mary Lue balanced working in the cotton fields while attended and graduating from Bakersfield High School along with her best friend Peggy James.

After graduating from high school Mary Lue attended Bakersfield College. Her love of arts and crafts, decorating, sewing, exquisite fashion, and modern dance especially appealed to her. Coupled with a loving spirit and compassionate personality, she possessed a bundle of ideas and jumped at the opportunity to share it with others. Mary Lue as she was affectionately called, used her outgoing personality and giving nature to impress upon others the spirit of elevating the mind, body, soul, and spirit. This outgoing and giving nature lasted a lifetime.

Longing to leave the then small “country town” of Bakersfield, California, Mary Lue made her way to big city of Los Angeles, California where she was employed at United Rehabilitation Center as a Medication Nurse. Mary Lue loved to go out with friends and dress up in petit clothes dressed “down to the T” with a posture of a Hollywood Diva (shoulders arched back with arms straight down and hands out in a courtesy) to match and don’t forget the sparkling white gloves. It was her forte—style, grace and class—she wore it exquisitely to numerous function she attended throughout her life.

During her tenure as a nurse, Mary Lue met her life-long husband, a GI, a military man from Hammond, Louisiana named, Alvin “Al” Williams. Although another beau had taken interest in her she forsook him for her “Al” who swept her off her feet with his gentlemanly manners that she affectionately spoke of so often. They were soon married on September 3, 1966. Al and Mary moved to Santa Anna, California where her first born son, Kevin Dushane Williams, and daughter Latonya Williams, were born.

Mary Lue began attending a Full Gospel Church under Rev. Bill Byrd in Santa Ana, California. She got saved and gave her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and began living for God. Mary Lue loved music and joined the church choir. Mary Lue promoted her love of the Lord through missionary work and ministry through music. She was very fond of worshiping through singing, dancing, and arranging music in an effort to make a joyful noise unto Lord. She exhibited talents and gifts that flourished into a special anointing over her life.

The Williams Family moved to Wagner, Oklahoma in the 1970’s and she served faithfully as the First Lady of her husband’s new Pentecostal Church. ‘Sis Williams’ as she became affectionately known, worked diligently on the details of starting a new ministry. She developed a choir, ensured the children were enriched with the word of God and instilled a loving heart in her many new members. The Church continued to grow, and many souls were saved under their ministry. In 1971, the Williams family expanded, and Myra Williams was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Williams family eventually moved to Texas where Sis. Williams continued her walk in the church and the community. The Williams family first began attending the New Testament Holiness Church of Coleman, Texas under Bro. Blue and then the New Testament Holiness Tabernacle of Bangs, Texas, under the late Bro. Frank Barron and current Pastor Ronnie White. She continued her ministry of youth and music by directing numerous choirs, including the New Testament Junior Choir, the New Testament Adult Choir and the Gospelett’s that consisted of her children and nieces. She continued to emphasize faith in Jesus Christ along with unity through diversity and inclusiveness. As the saying goes, “I’m a part of all that I have met,” Sis. Williams met many, many people and touched many more lives.

With this tenacity and determination, Mary Lue Williams completed her Baccalaureate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. After obtaining her teacher’s certification, she taught both primary and secondary school throughout West Central Texas. She continued to teach and work with children, youth, and young adults. Leaning on her moto “anyone can learn, but everyone can learn if you have the right teacher.” Mary’s unique skills and talents focused on troubled children and those with special needs.

While teaching The Williams family expanded once again as Marcus Williams was born in San Angelo, Texas. She embraced the challenge of caring for a young child later in life. Unstoppable Mary Lue continued her advocacy for betterness over bitterness and ‘have no regrets’ by enrolling her daughters in Barbizon modeling school, promoted sports and continuous church activities for her children, nieces and nephews. She had her own mind and reveled in it…And nobody was going to take it away!

With her outspoken opposition to passivity and narrow-mindedness, she continued to breach the strongholds of racism, sexism, division, and inequality, particularly as it pertained to education, society and even religion. She was outspoken and spoke “truth” to whatever power that be! She refused to be outmaneuvered and was unashamed to defend her children, her family or herself at whatever cost. The phrase, “Oh no you didn’t…” was the start and “Bless God I walked my behind over there and…” was the finish! She was feisty and everyone knew it!!!!

Working at the Cordell Community Center for many, many years gave her the opportunity to keep children occupied and busy with positive activities. Mary Lue was not content on just accomplishing a single initiative. She was active as a leader with the drill team, community choir, cooking, dancing, selfcare for young girls and so much more. As a mentor, her doors were always opened for after-hours activities. Her many activities in community and religion culminated in a master’s degree in Religious Counseling in 2011.

Mary Lue continued to serve with distinction and was honored as Brown County’s “Outstanding Woman of the Community.” She along with her loving Husband started an outreach ministry called New Covenant Community Outreach Church that they labored at for many years.

Of the greatest challenges she faced in her life, none was more challenging than laying to rest her oldest, accomplished son, Kevin Dushane Williams. He was her heart—artistic, funny, intelligent, caring, and charming—and his struggle was her struggle. The pride that she had in his many accomplishments and triumphs through his life set an example of a mother who like a Mother Hen sought to protect her child through difficulties and trod through every tribulation by his side. They are together now in eternity.

Mary spent her last days serving the Lord with all her heart, expanding the word to occupy until he comes. She took self-development classes ensuring she did not forsake the work of her hands. Her most recent class was gardening in May 2021. She continued to dream and make plans for the future, working as the children’s ministry. Mary Lue made it her personal mission to prepare the children to walk in the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mary continued to have big plans that included a reunion of the choirs she directed, drill team, church and family. She wanted to restart the woman’s ministry to include socials, book writing, summer camp and an annual community Thanksgiving feeding.

Through her faith and selflessness, she leaves a legacy of love; for us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts; lean not onto our own understanding; and in all your ways he will direct your path. Rejoice friends and family for I am with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Live life to the fullest! Show love to the ones we meet along the path. “You never know….and now you know!”

Sis. Mary Lue (Thomas) Williams was predeceased in Death by her parents, Joseph Columbus and Jimmie Lee Thomas; her siblings, Clifford Thomas, J.C. Thomas, Ainge Banks, David Thomas, Rosie Lee (Balfour) Thomas Hunter and Dorothy Hickman; her Cousin Robert Earl Thomas; and her oldest son, Kevin Dushane Williams.

Sis. Mary Lue (Thomas) Williams leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 55 years, Alvin Williams, daughter Latonya Williams Sutton (Husband Reginald Sutton) of Brownwood, Texas and stepson Reginald Sutton Jr.; Daughter Myra Merritt (Husband Douglas Alan Merritt Jr.) of San Antonio, Texas and their sons, Eric Merritt and Aaron Merritt; Son, Marcus Williams of Brownwood, Texas; Her three brothers, Freddie L. Thomas Sr. (Dorothy), Solomon Thomas, and Roy Jerry Thomas. Sister in law, Celestine Thomas and Brother in law Julius George Hunter; Her Nephew Reggie Dumons, her “Sons” from another Mother, Charles Cooper (Wife Adelie) sons Abraham and Victoriano of Brownwood, Texas and Alfred Deal (Wife Debbie Deal and children) of Brownwood, Texas; and a host of brothers and sisters in the Lord, nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, caregivers, friends and so many more that were taught, helped, mentored, motivated, cheered, and supported.

Services entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at brownwoodfuneralhome.net.