Murlene Teresa "Tiny" Williams

Murlene Teresa "Tiny" Williams, 93, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and family on July 5, 2023. She had advanced dementia in a well-used body in service to others. Born on December 5, 1929, in the township of Eau Claire, Columbia, South Carolina, to the late Claude Harris and Audrey Arbell Harris, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Lester Leroy Williams; sons, Floyd Anthony "Tony" Williams and Claude Ronald "Ronnie" Williams; special partner, James "Hezzie" Hodges; son-in-law, John Edward Lee III; brothers, William "Bill" Harris (Jean), James Harris (Melitta), and Charles Harris (Dot); sisters, Marcheta Ferguson (Delbert) and Margaret Johnson (Johnny); brothers-in-law, Richard Moran and Delbert Ferguson; nephews, Ricky Moran and David Ferguson, and an angel great-granddaughter, Mireya Dickow. "Tiny" was a precious and beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend; she was loved by all who knew her. "Tiny" graduated from Andrew Lewis High School, married, and had children before working her latest job as a certified nursing assistant (private duty nurse) for the elderly for many years until her retirement at 76 years old. A selfless caregiver, she was kind, compassionate, and loved by all her patients. She worked many previous jobs, but she had found her calling and passion in caregiving. Previous employment included Beltone Hearing Aids and Lotz Guardian Plan, where she was an award-winning telemarketer. She managed Nichols Restaurant and worked for many years at S & S Cafeteria. She was a very creative person, played guitar, sang, danced, and was very beautiful with a flair for fashion she had the best hair ever! "Tiny" was a member of Virginia Heights Baptist Church. She suffered a brain aneurysm at 28 years old with three children to raise and worked until retirement. She had an endless ability to forgive as she endured many challenges and brain issues at a young age. She loved people and life and enjoyed every day. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Marie Williams Lee (Gerald "Jerry" Savage): sister, Deloris "Lopie" Moran Ayers (Tom); grandaughters, Tara Lee Dames (Tim) and Chastity McMillion (Stan); grandsons, Sidney and Aaron Williams (Rebecca); daughter-in-law, Susan Woodlief Williams; great- grandsons, Maverick Dickow and John Dames; step-grandmother to Maverick and John, Layne R. Lee; Maverick's father, Rick Dickow; great- grandaughters, Morgan and Taylor McMillion and Izabella "Bella" Williams; nephews, Charlie Harris (Debbie) and Jeffrey Harris, Steve Ferguson (Laurie), and Travis Moran (Chris); cousins, Darrell McCall, Deloris (D.D.) Guilliams and Mike English; great nieces and nephews, as well as a special roommate and son, Joan and Ray McGhee. Services will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem, with the Reverend Marc Silva officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will immediately follow in East Hill Cemetery. The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care and friendship given to "Tiny" and their family for these last seven years. Service Details. Visitation When Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location John M. Oakey & Son Chapel Address 305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153 Funeral Service When Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 2:00pm Location John M. Oakey & Son Chapel Address 305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153 Interment When Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 Location East Hill Cemetery Address 730 East Main Street Salem, Virginia