Mary Winifred Williams Middlebrooks

Mary Winifred Williams Middlebrooks died peacefully on June 8, 2023 in Anderson, SC. She was surrounded in love by her family, which included her favorite daughter and her other favorite daughter. While dementia had taken her memories, it did not take her personality.  She lived her life and managed the cruel disease to the end with the grace and humor and patience that she was known for.

She was born on February 15, 1948 to Winifred and Turner Williams Jr of Ellaville, GA.  Mary was their second born child, after Bob (Robert Greene Williams). Though widely believed to have achieved perfection with Mary, Winifred and Turner would have two more children, Beth (Susan Elizabeth Williams) and Nelson (Turner Nelson Williams, III), just to be sure. 

As a result of her voracious reading habit, Mary knew everything. From a young age, her intellect and willingness to provide guidance was apparent, much to her siblings’ consternation. There are those who would have described Mary as stubborn, but only if they really knew her.

Mary had a servant’s heart and could always be counted on to help those in need. For as long as she was able, you could find her working in the kitchen of any church function making sure everyone else was taken care of before thinking of sitting down herself.

There are occasions where the knowledge, desire to help, and stubbornness would clash; Mary would never let the fact that she didn’t know the answer to a question stop her from giving one.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Bruce Arden Middlebrooks.

She is survived by her 3 siblings Bob, Beth, and Nelson (Paula), her two daughters Arden Middlebrooks Stelly (Duaine), and Elizabeth Middlebrooks, her 3 grandsons Parker Stelly, Jefferson Stelly, and Charles Stelly, her stepdaughter Donna Middlebrooks, and stepson Alan Middlebrooks.

Please join the family in celebrating Mary’s life on July 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the church where she worshipped for her entire 75 years, Andrew Chapel Church in Ellaville, GA with Dr. Kevin Clotfelter. You are encouraged to bring your favorite memory of Mary to share.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing or reversing Alzheimer’s diseaseat www.curealz.org