Wynell Rayford Williams

Wynell Rayford Williams, 85, of Abilene transitioned on April 9, 2025.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 2:30 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Texas, 79606 with Rev. R.E. Carter and Reverend Dr. Kelvin J. Kelly, officiating. Interment will be private at a later date. Visitation will also be on Thursday, April 17, from 1-2 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park.

On October 26, 1939, Wallace and Elma (Porter) Rayford welcomed a new baby girl into the world in Lexington, Texas. Wynell was the second of ten children and enjoyed a close-knit relationship at an early age including the usual fun and mischief that siblings do. At an early age, the family moved from Lexington to Cameron, Texas before settling down in Abilene just as Wynell was set to enter ninth grade. She graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School in 1959. While in high school, one of her classmates introduced Wynell to a young man who wound up to be the love of her life for 62 years, Earl Williams. The two were married on May 22, 1959. Together they began their family and further strengthened their roots in Abilene where they welcomed their three children whom she loved and cherished, Rodney, Michael, and Janell.

After years of being a loving and devoted wife, a caring and protective mother to her three children, and an outstanding homemaker, Wynell enrolled in American Commercial College and just after six months of business training, where she earned a diploma and attained the marketable skills necessary for placement in a business position with the Abilene Independent School District. Soon after earning her diploma, Wynell accepted a job as a teacher's aide at Lee (Stafford) Elementary where her strong character traits of dependability and organization shined. She soon realized she wanted to strengthen her skills to improve her employability. After two of her children had graduated from Hardin-Simmons University, Wynell decided it was her turn. While employed by the Abilene Independent School District, she attended the university and graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

After earning her degree, Wynell accepted a job as a special education teacher at Thomas Elementary until deciding to join her husband at the Bootery Shoe Store until 2008. Wynell continued to expound on her professional life by selecting a profession which further allowed her to display her quiet, caring, and protective demeanor. In 2019, she started working for Home Instead Senior Care, providing in-home care for senior members of the community. She was much-admired for her work as an in-home provider with senior community members until 2019. At that time, she began providing in-home care for her husband due to his declining health and need for daily assistance. Wynell also cultivated her spiritual life while attending Mt. Zion Baptist church. She was dutifully faithful in her duties as a deaconess and served commendably on the church usher board.

Wynell was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wayne Williams; her grandson, Anthony Earl Williams; her beloved parents, Wallace and Elma Rayford; her brothers, Wallace Rayford Jr., George (Owen) and Larry Rayford; her sisters, Gloria Faye Jackson, Willie Beatrice Davis, Vernon Ruth Lee; and brother-in-law Curtis Lee.

Wynell is survived by her children, Rodney Williams (Angela) of San Antonio, Michael Williams (Nelda) of Abilene, and Janell Williams of Abilene; grandchildren, Ashley Williams, Lacie Williams, Michelle Jolly, Ashley Johnston; great-grandchildren, Mekhi, A.J., and Calaiya, and Camren. Her surviving siblings are Jimmy Rayford of Beaumont, CA; Marcelle Robinzine of Abilene; Teresa McGee (Harold) of Abilene; brothers-in-law A.C. Jackson of Abilene and Elmo Davis of Gause, TX; along with numerous loving relatives, and special friends.

To leave condolences or view the livestream of service please visit, www.elmwoodfuneral.com.