Marjorie Owen Williams

Marjorie Owen Williams

Marjorie Owen Williams died Monday, Sept. 27, 2010. She had a long and happy life as the devoted wife of the late Ernest Williams II and the mother of Ernest Williams III, of Nashville, Tenn., Tracy W. Barron, of Concord, Mass., and Marjorie W. Coward, of Fairfax. She is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Marjorie was born Nov. 5, 1915, in Lynchburg, to John Doniphan Owen and Persis Pursell Owen. She attended National Cathedral School for the last two years of high school. She graduated from Wellesly College in 1937, where she was a music major and a memeber of the choir and a member of Alpha Zeta.

She and her late husband lived in Lynchburg for more than 50 years. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school. She served as the president of the Junior League of Lynchburg, the YWCA and the Lynchburg chapter of the Garden Club of Virginia. She joined in her husband's interests in golf and even learned to fly his small plane. She also joined Ernie in his enthusiastic support of Washington and Lee University. An Honor Scholarship in both of their names was set up at W & L. The Marjorie Williams Endowment for Library Acquisitions was established in 1993.

In 1959, Marj and Ernie built a summer house at Hilton Head, S.C., and in 1970 they retired there. On Hilton Head, she and her late husband were enthusiastic golfers and active members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where they sang in the choir. Retirement did not last long after Marj and Ernie started the Binnacle Antique Store at Harbor Town. This was an enjoyable and fascinating business for them both; they ran it until a few years before their next move.

In 1986, the Williams moved to the Villlage of Golf, Fla. There, Marjorie continued with her interest in golf, croquet and duplicate bridge. She was an active member of St. Pauls's Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the choir and a vestry member. From 1989 to 1995, she and her late husband spent summers at the Chatooga Club in Cahiers, N.C.

Marjorie spent the last four years of her husband's life faithfully caring for him. She discounted the toll to herself, saying, "it is my pleasure." For her last few years, Marjorie's loving caregiver was Marie Louigene. Marjorie will be remembered by all who knew her as a sweet, gracious and elegant person.

A memorial service will be held for Marjorie at 10 a.m. Oct. 30, 2010, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S Swinton Ave., Delray, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marjorie's memory to St. Paul's Church, Delray, Fla.