MELBA JEAN DAVIS WILLIAMS

MELBA JEAN DAVIS WILLIAMS Melba Jean Davis Williams was born April 9, 1929 in Tom Bean, Texas to Andrew Henry Davis and Mabel Dee Williams Davis. She died July 30, 2024 at the age of 95. Jean was born and raised in Tom Bean. Upon graduation from Tom Bean High School, she moved to the big city of Dallas. Several years later she accepted a job with the Federal Bureau of Investigators. She would work for the Bureau from 1951-1956. It is there that she met her late husband, James Ruelle Williams, a fellow Bureau employee. They married in 1956 and had two daughters, Karan and Jan. They went on to raise their family in Irving, Texas where Jean volunteered her time as PTA President, Blue Bird/Camp Fire Girl Leader, and President of the Irving Country Club Ladies' Golf Association. The family moved to Carthage, Texas in 1974 where Jean worked as a real estate agent. After the death of her husband in 1985, she moved back to Dallas to work for HCB Contractors and American Petroleum Institute. She then made a career in property management. She was proud to be a member of the Society of FBI Alumni. In addition to being a mom, one of her greatest joys was that of being Grandma to Lauren Clendenon Bendall and husband Houston, Brian James Kelly, Haley Clendenon Strom and husband Shane, and Scott Richard Kelly. Although a proud native Texan and longtime resident, Jean decided to move to Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 90 and enjoyed becoming a great grandmother "Gram" to Landon, Emma and William Bendall and Lane Strom. Jean is survived by her daughters Karan Kelly and husband Bob of Mansfield, Texas and Jan Clendenon and husband Landy of Birmingham, Alabama; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Ann Davis Daffron and husband Jim, of Rockwall, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Louise Davis Connell and husband Marvin, and brother Jim Ridley Davis and wife Carol. Jean was a member of the Church of Christ. Graveside Services will be held at Grange Hall Cemetery in Marshall, Texas. Jean's family feels blessed to have had her for 95 years. Her example of strength and determination in living a long and independent life encourages us all.