August 29, 1932 – September 1, 2019

NATCHEZ–   Mary O’Beirne WIlliams, the beautiful center and Matriarch of the O’Beirne and Williams families, passed away on Sept. 1, 2019, after a brief battle with late stage cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents Michael Patrick and Marcella Healion O’Beirne; her husband of 54 years, Melvin Eugene Williams, an infant son; her grandson Robert Troy Williams; sister Alice Marie O’Beirne and brother James Francis O’Beirne.

Mary is survived by three sons and four daughters; Gene and wife Faye, Mark and wife Connie and Michael Williams, all of Natchez. Janice Junkin of Orlando, Florida, Patty Prescott and husband Richard of Natchez, Sharon Eddington and husband Brian of Baton Rouge, and Erin Hill and husband John Allen of Hernando.

She was affectionately known as “Mimi” to 18 grandchildren and their spouses, Michelle Whiteside and husband, Ryan, Courtney Junkin, Rebecca Milton and husband, Evan, Rick Prescott and wife, Alison, Kate Rollins and husband, Jason, Jake Williams and wife, Sara, Sarah Staggs, Brandy Ezell and husband, Christian, Taylor Martin and husband, Bradley, Anna Claire Eddington, Melanie Eddington, Mary Grace Eddington, Elena Eddington, Austin Williams  and wife, Amanda, Preston Williams, Webb Hill, Harper Hill and Turner Hill; 19 great-grandchildren, Liam, Conner and Marcella Whiteside, John Hartman and Easton Milton, Rachael and Richard Prescott, Griffen and Holland Rollins, Harrison and Emma Williams, Tenley Wilson and Corbin Staggs, Christopher Troy Dillon, Wyatt Ezell, Avery and Charlie Martin, Trippe and Reese Williams; three brothers, Danny O’Beirne, Tommy O’Beirne and wife Pokey all of Natchez and Michael O’Beirne and wife Ingeborg of Tubingen, Germany; four sisters, Eileen Clayton, Margaret Williams, Patsy Rogers and Noreen Bozeman all of Jackson; three sisters-in-law, Willie Mae Williams and Mary Jane Gaudet of Natchez and Jean O’Beirne of Baton Rouge.

She was ‘Aunt Mary’ to a multitude of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, too many to mention, whom she loved dearly. She was especially grateful for the time after her diagnoses that she was able to visit with almost every member of this enormous and loving family.   

Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Aug. 29, 1932, and moving to Natchez at the age of 3, Mary was the eldest of 10 children. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Basilica Catholic Church, active in the Altar Society, meticulously washing and ironing church linens, polishing candlesticks and always a participant in setting up the beautiful manger every Christmas Season. She graduated from St. Joseph High School (Cathedral High School) in Natchez in 1950 and worked in various banking/bookkeeping and administrative positions throughout her life.

Mary was a member of The Musical Arts League and so enjoyed attending performances with dear and cherished friends.

Her greatest joy, however, was being surrounded by her large family, consisting of seven children, 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She loved the beach, trips to New Orleans, afternoon boat rides on Lake St. John, and family vacations all over the country and even Ireland with her children, their spouses and grandchildren. Mary also was an avid college football fan and especially enjoyed LSU tailgates with her family.

Mary’s Irish-Catholic upbringing contributed to her understanding and appreciation of  living a simple life, built on a solid foundation unwavering faith in God, selfless devotion to her family and service to others. She had a God-given talent for making everyone feel special and welcome. She made each child and grandchild feel and truly believe that they were ‘her favorite’ and left a beautiful legacy and example of what motherhood is meant to be. She will be missed immeasurably by her children and grandchildren. While ‘her work on Earth is done’ her love and values she instilled, will never be forgotten.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Cheri Brooks and the loving, caring and efficient staff of King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. Also, special thanks to Courtney Wyles, her loving hospice nurse and Gregory Ketchings, for their generous love and attention during this most difficult time.

A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at St. Mary Basilica with Father Mark Shoffner officiating. 

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5  to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until service time, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at St. Mary Basilica

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Natchez Stewpot, an organization very dear to Mary for many, many years.

On line condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com .