Mary E. "Delores" Williams

Precious Memories

Mary Elizabeth Williams

Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on,

and cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone; those we love can never be more than a thought apart; for as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in the heart.

Mary Elizabeth Williams, affectionately called “Delores, Dee, and Duchess” was born on August 21, 1932, to Frank Wright and Inez McCain Wright in Sumter, South Carolina.  She was the third of three daughters born to this union.  While growing up, she probably was best known for fighting.  She may not have started most of them, but she was always ready to finish one.  Many times, she would go pass her street and head out Liberty Street just to fight.  She never turned down a fight.  In some situations, she was the pursuer, just ask her cousin, Joyce Doty, who she chased down to fight while pregnant. 

Delores received her early education in Sumter, South Carolina, while in high school, she met the love of her life, John Williams, at a dance on Shaw Air Force Base located in Sumter.  That was the beginning of a long, and loving relationship.

When she graduated from high school, and while in New York for the summer, visiting her aunt, John proposed, and they were married on, June 28, 1951.  To this union, two daughters, Denise, Teri, and a son, John, Jr. were born. Because John was in the Air force, the family traveled to many places both foreign and domestic. Early on, while stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, they lived in Denver, Colorado in a home on Downing Street fortwo years. They lived in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and on two separate tours of duty, for more than three year each time, they were stationed in the Philippine Islands, and in Minot, North Dakota. The Philippines was her favorite. When the time came for John to retire, they chose to return to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Mary and John were married fifty-seven years, when he preceded her in death.

After she had raised her children, she began working for the City and County of Denver. She later transferred to the State of Colorado, Child Support Enforcement Agency and remained there until her retirement.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Delores was an active member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, now under the current pastoral leadership of Reverend Marlin Malone.  She loved her church and fellowship shared with her church family.  She believed in the power of prayer and having the right relationship with the Lord.

Delores was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she surrounded.  In her free time, she loved going camping, fishing, visiting various clubs, and “going to the “Hills” to play the penny and nickel machine.  Surprisingly, she won at those machines. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman.  To know “Delores” was to love her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Frank Wright, her mother, Inez McCain Wright, her husband, John Williams, both sisters, Miriam Cummings and Ruby Jackson; 2 nephews, Williams Cummings, and Anthony Jackson; and a grandson, Drely Jackson.

Mary Elizabeth Williams departed this life on December 30, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.  Those left to carry on her memory include her three children, Denise Reid of Aurora, CO, John Williams, Jr. of Tucson, AZ; and Teri Walker of Austin, TX; 3 grandchildren, Andria Hinman of Denver, CO, Aric Reid of Killeen, TX,  Alesia Williams of Tucson, AZ; 4 great grandchildren,  Kian Washburn of Manassas, VA, Avery Hinman, of Denver, CO; Austin Reid of Killeen, TX, and McKenzie Reid of Killeen, TX; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.