Nina Maye Williams

Nina Maye (Phipps) Williams, age 91, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, January 9, at Ferris Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 12:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, Westminster Hall, 4th and Meeker, Delta, Colorado. Lunch to follow.

Nina was born December 25, 1933, at her family's home in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Arthur and Dorothy (Rupp) Phipps. She graduated from Grand Junction High School and earned her associate of arts degree from Mesa College. She was proud of completing her college degree, especially as her father insisted it would be of no use to a female.

She married Verlyn Gene Leeds in Grand Junction in 1953 and had two sons, Ranson Verlyn and Richard Gene. They divorced in 1962. She then met the love of her life, Brice Warren Williams. They married in Grand Junction on June 21, 1963. Brice brought two boys from his previous marriage into the family, Harper Brice and Mark Anthony. Brice and Nina had two daughters, Dorothy Lynn and Aimee Joy.

Nina was a skilled seamstress and made many of her own clothes and those of her children. She enjoyed crocheting and new babies in her orbit often received a handmade crocheted sweater set and baby booties. During the holidays, she turned her attention to making packages of fudge, peanut brittle and the family-famous caramels, all from recipes passed down by her mom. She loved playing the piano and organ, and in her later years, provided accompaniment for church services.

Nina was the school secretary at Chatfield Elementary School and adored her job and her students. She was fired when she became pregnant with her youngest daughter as it was considered unseemly for a pregnant woman to be around young children. After Brice and Nina moved to Delta, Colorado, Nina worked in a law office and also became a typesetter for the Delta County Independent newspaper. She enjoyed her work and her colleagues and took pride in getting the paper to press on time. She became fluent in designing the paper on a computer, at that time a new technology for printing.

Nina was fun-loving and adventurous, even during difficult times. She was the lead in high school and college theater productions, learned to ski from her son Randy when she was in her 50s, and danced with Don Ho in Hawaii. She joined a bowling league in her 60s with her daughter Dottee and enjoyed traveling to tournaments. Nina had a warm and loving view of God and her relationship with him was foundational for her. She was an active church member throughout her life, starting with the Congregational Church in Grand Junction and continuing with Delta United Methodist and Community Christ Church of Delta. Independent and a strong supporter of women's rights, Nina was an active member of ESA Sorority and the Red Hat Society.

Nina is survived by her children, Mark (Cindy), Randy (Stacy), Richard (Sheila), Dottee (Bill), Aimee (Tate) and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brice, and stepson, Harper.