Frances “Coot” Williams died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, at Merit Health-River Region. She was 93. 

She was born June 23, 1924, and was a native and lifelong resident of Vicksburg.   She was the seventh of nine children born to David and Susan Turner Williams and graduated from Carr Central High School.  She retired from the Public Graphic Arts Division of Waterways Experiment Station, where she received numerous awards as an editor.  She was a charter member of Hawkins United Methodist Church. 

She was an avid golfer, bowler, and fisherman and enjoyed entertaining family and friends at her lake house “Halcyon” at Lake Claiborne.  ‘Coot’ loved telling stories of her childhood spent growing up in a large family in the Baer-Williams home at 1117 Grove Street in Vicksburg. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, D.T. Williams, James Melvin Williams and George Williams; three sisters, Rebecca Biedenharn, Hilda White and Betty Sue Wilkerson. 

She is survived by a brother, John Herman Williams of New York City, N.Y.; a sister, Nancy Mumper of Vicksburg; numerous nieces and nephews who she helped raise as her own; and her special friend and caregiver, Pam Plummer.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at Hawkins United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sally Bevill officiating. 

Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. until the hour of service. 

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. 

Riles Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Chase Koestler, Richard Wilkerson, Jason Biedenharn, Charles Russell White, Tom Byrd and David Wilkerson. 

Honorary pallbearers will be David Willliams, Don Palermo, Charles Williams, Pete Hartley, Donald Byrd and Neal Walker.

The family would like to express special thanks to Coot’s sitters Ora Carson and Lynda Jackson; Dr. Eugene Ferris; and the staff at Merit Health-River Region ICU and Heritage House Nursing Home.

Memorials may be made to Hawkins United Methodist Church, 3736 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180.