Funeral services for Mrs. Shirley J. Williams, age 54, of the Paradise Community in Panola County, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at Williams Tabernacle with Bishop Hubert Owens officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Paradise Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mrs. Williams passed away on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, in Carthage.

Shirley Faye Johnson Williams was born on June 20, 1956, in Panola County, TX to Eugene and Girtha Lee Rayson Johnson. She graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1973, and attended Kilgore and Panola College. She married Gilbert Williams on Apr. 10, 1971, in Carthage. Mrs. Williams worked as a private sitter for many years. She enjoyed cooking and working in her flowerbeds. She had lived her lifetime in Panola County and was a member of the Williams Tabernacle where she served as an usher. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her father.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her mother, Girtha Lee Rayson Johnson of Carthage; her husband of 39 years, Gilbert Williams of the Paradise Community; one son, Gary Williams and wife Debbie of Spring, TX; one daughter, Nicholas Nicole Garrett and husband Calvin of Dayton, OH; five brothers, R.C. Johnson and wife Jerlie of Lake of the Pines, Gene E. Johnson of Columbus, OH; James Johnson, Sr. and wife Chanta of Carthage, Larry Johnson and wife Amy of Carthage, and Kenneth Johnson and wife Sherry of Carthage; five sisters, Gertie M. Johnson of Tyler, Mary A. Anderson and husband Donny of Carthage, Annie F. Tyree and husband Dwight of Dayton, OH, Mary Glasper and husband Johnny of Carthage, and Ruby Phelps and husband James of Atlanta, GA; best friend, Josephine Jackson of the Paradise Community; and six grandchildren, Stephanie Ann Vanden Berghe, Dana Shirley Brown, Heather Nicole Vanden Berghe, Ashle Nicole Garrett, Aubrie Fay Williams, and Angelina Marie Williams. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mrs. Williams.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff, nurses, and doctors of ETMC-Carthage for the loving care given to Mrs. Williams.

Serving as pallbearers are Darius Williams, Joey Hymes, Kevin Glasper, Montrel Sanders, Martez Williams, and Phillip "Chuck" Graves.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Gene "Jake" Johnson, James Johnson, R.C. Johnson, Larry Johnson, Kenneth "Wayne" Johnson, Johnny Glasper, Donnie Anderson, Jerry Williams, Delton Williams, Shelby Williams, Don Williams, and Willie Williams.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.