Mabel Elizabeth Quillin Williams, 82, died peacefully at her home Monday, May 14th after a lengthy illness. Her daughters and husband were at her side. Elizabeth was born in Austin, Texas on July 3rd, 1929. Her adoptive parents were Grover and Mabel Quillin of San Antonio, Texas. Elizabeth was an outstanding student and began San Antonio Community College at the age of 15. She secured a scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 1949 at the age of 19. While teaching elementary school in the Houston area, she met her future husband, Baylor Medical School student Howard C. Williams of Port Arthur, Texas. They married on August 26, 1950 and settled in Orange in 1953.
Elizabeth joined the Service League of Orange in 1960, and remained as a sustaining advisor throughout her life. She served as its President in 1970. She was a founding board member of the Heritage House Association of Orange County since 1977 and received its Outstanding Service Award in 1999. As an active member of the Orange County Historical Society she received the Southeast Texas Arts Council Women's Hall of Fame Award in 1993. She enjoyed 15 years of working with the Orange Community Players as a board member and actress, and will be remembered for her part as Auntie Mame. Elizabeth served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for 33 years, was an active member of the Evergreen Cemetery Board. She received the Altrusa Club Woman of the Year Award in 1988.
She was known for her wit and kindness and was a devoted friend to June Owens, Margaret Dal Sasso, Mavis Powell and Richard Free. Her daughters in spirit include Patty Owens, Chrisleigh Dal Sasso and Melanie McCann Booth. She was a talented artist and compassionate to all living things. The Williams family wishes to thank Dr. Marian Chen-Hah for her love and attention over the years. Elizabeth's last years were often spent in the company of her devoted caregivers Lisa Simpson and Missy Lee.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her son Jeffrey Howard Williams, and her grandson David Howard May. She is survived by her husband Dr. Howard C. Williams, daughters Shelley Williams Hart and husband, Patrick John Hart, Leslie Williams and Alison Williams, as well as her beloved sister Mary Katherine Goodwin, and children, Jim Goodwin, Katherine Goodwin Sheets, Leslie Goodwin and Andrea Goodwin, grandchildren Katherine Elizabeth May and Dylan Margaret Walsh.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Orange. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Williams' residence, 12 Bayou Bend, Orange, Texas 77630.
Memorials honoring Elizabeth Williams may be made to The Salvation Army of Orange or to The Heritage House Museum of Orange County.