Mrs. Gloria Dean Williams

Gloria Dean Williams passed on to her heavenly home March 11, 2024 after a short illness. She was 80 years old. Born Glodean Muex on May 29, 1943 in Brownsville, TN to Abra and Allie B. Muex, she met and married Joe Nathan Williams, Sr. in their shared hometown. Glodean and Joe relocated to Saginaw, Michigan in the early 1960s and later became permanent residents of Carrollton Township, Michigan. During this time Glodean legally changed her name to Gloria Dean. She received another name change when she was affectionately nicknamed “Betty” by her children when she was distracted and didn’t respond to being called mom, but for some reason, she did respond to Betty. Gloria Dean Williams deeply loved her family and kept in close contact with her many relatives in Tennessee and Missouri. She made the trip “down home” to Tennessee whenever she could. Locally, Gloria relished every opportunity to spend time with and love on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gloria devoted the bulk of her early life to being a wife, homemaker and mother. After her children were well on the way to adulthood, Gloria pursued employment outside of her home. She got a job on the kitchen staff of Carrollton Public Schools. Later, Gloria decided she wanted to work in the classroom with children. Since she left Tennessee without graduating from high school, she pursued her diploma after work in the evenings through the Carrollton Adult Education Program. She completed the program, and graduated in 1983 along with her oldest daughter, Teresa. After that, Gloria entered Delta College to complete her Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate. She became a Para Professional in the Early Childhood Development program at Carrollton Public Schools and worked in that capacity until she retired. Gloria delighted in the beauty and care of her plants and flowers, often talking to them and encouraging them in their growth. She kept and maintained many over the years, including African Violets and Holiday Cactuses. In 2020, Gloria was hospitalized for weeks after contracting COVID-19. Of the 15 ventilated patients who battled the disease at St. Mary’s Ascension in Saginaw at that time, she was the only one who survived. She faced weeks of physical and occupational therapy, but she returned home in time to celebrate her 77th birthday in May! As a child, Gloria committed her life and spirit to God. She was a faithful follower of Christ for her entire life. Led by Pastor Roy L. Manning, PhD, Gloria was a member of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church of Saginaw for over 30 years. She diligently attended church, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and participated in the Senior and Food Service Ministries. More important than all of these things, Gloria was a Prayer Warrior who had a deep and true relationship with Jesus. She regularly requested His protection and intervention for each of her many family members and friends. Gloria’s faith, love, kindness, generosity, friendship, megawatt smile, and joyous laughter will be deeply missed and forever cherished by: her husband Joe N. Williams, Sr.; three sons: Ken (Sherry) Williams of Carrollton, MI; James (Shannon) Williams of Saginaw, MI; Steve (Mary) Williams of Carrollton, MI; two daughters: Teresa Williams of Saginaw, MI; Barbara A. Williams of Saginaw, MI; and three children of the heart: Cheryl Kolka, Tony & Michelle Donald of Saginaw, MI; twelve grandchildren: Tom Petree, Jasmin (Jeremy) White, Breana (Jeremy) Matthews, Sharhea Edwards, DeSean Edwards, Robert North, Steffan (Kenya) Williams, Donte Williams, Sabrina North Hart Williams, Olivia (Jared Sage) Williams, Trashan Donald, and Asia Donald; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Murlene Jones, St. Louis, MO; Pauline (Clinton) Byars, Brownsville, TN; four brothers: James (Regina) Muex, St. Louis, MO; Arby (Fannie) Muex, St. Louis, MO; John Muex, Ripley, TN; Freddie Muex, Ripley, TN; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; The Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church Family; two very special friends: Rochelle Burrage and Rosalind Scott; special neighbors and friends: the Carter Family and the Stuckey Family. Gloria was predeceased by her parents Abra and Allie B. Muex; her oldest son Joe N. Williams, Jr.; two sisters Claudia Muex and Emma Tyus; and three brothers JD, Alvin, and Earnest Muex. Many Thanks to Covenant CVICU nursing staff: Jillian, Patrick, Katee, Anthony, and Kevin; Visiting Nurses Association staff: Mike, Neema, and Maria for your kind and compassionate care. Extra Special Thanks to Steve & Mary Williams, Gloria’s son and daughter-in-law, for taking such excellent and devoted care of our mother over the last four years of her life. Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, 104 S. 10th Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601, with funeral services commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor Roy Manning will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington, Saginaw, MI 48601.. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday..

Mrs. Gloria Dean Williams

May 29, 1943 - March 11, 2024