Marilyn Jean (Tate) Williams, 92, gained her heavenly wings peacefully in her home with family on Tuesday, July 8.
She was born on February 10, 1933 to the late Brice Ransom and Mary Emma Tate. She shared the last 48 years with her loving husband Ray.
Throughout the years she has had many outstanding accomplishments. Before graduating high school, she went to Mexico as a foreign exchange student. She graduated Valedictorian from Grundy County High School. She then continued her studies at Vanderbilt University, where she was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude.
She move to Brazil with her family, where she spent years teaching English. Later she moved back to Tennessee with her four children. She taught at Vanderbilt University, where she advocated for her community. She organized a campaign to stop a toxic waste incinerator from being placed in Marion County. She opened and directed a childcare center named The Nature Corner, where she shared her passion to teach and her love for children.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents Brice Ransom and Mary Emma Tate, son Leif “Levi” Thomas, brothers Dink and Bill Tate, sister Beverly Sweeton, grandchildren Eleisha and Timmy Williams, as well as nephew Tim Sweeton.
Those left to cherish her memories are her husband Ray Williams, children Brice (Harriet) Austin, Beverly Thomas (Emma Lugo), Kevin (Charlene) Thomas, Tim (Susan) Williams and Wayne (Jamie) Williams, daughter-in-law Angie Thomas, grandchildren Beth (Hayden) Tudors, Rachel Thomas, Britney (Jake) Forshee, Luke (Felicia) Howard, Patrick Kilcoyne, Heather Kilcoyne, Lily Kaitlyn, Abigail (Emily) Austin and Sophia Thomas, great grandchildren Ellie and Levi Tudors, Jonah and Riley Williams, Malaney and Wyatt Forshee, Raylen and Autumn Howard, Ruby and Ryan Kilcoyne, Tyler Hinds, Savannah and Steven Kerley, several cousins, as well as nieces and nephews.
Funeral services to celebrate and honor Marilyn were held on Saturday, July 12 at 11 a.m. in the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home, with Reverend Kim A. Hobby Rector who officiated.
Visitation was held on Friday, July 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the South Pittsburg Chapel.
Arrangements were entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home, South Pittsburg Chapel 400 Laurel Ave, South Pittsburg, Tennessee, 37380.
The Marion Tribune – July 17, 2025
