Betty Douglas James McWilliams passed from this life at Helen Keller Hospital after a brief illness on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 60 years, Walter Glenn McWilliams, and her three children, Todd McWilliams (wife Michelle), Oakland, Tennessee, Ellen Thompson (husband Ron), Madison, Alabama, and Barry McWilliams, Tuscumbia, Alabama. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Andy McWilliams (Barry) and Leigh and Hunter McWilliams (Todd); and one loving sister, Shirley Anne James Isbell, (Raymond), Sheffield, Alabama; nephew, Michael Isbell, New York City, New York; and niece, Joni Presley (Phillip), of Athens, Alabama. She is survived by a host of special in-laws, sweet nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Two cousins who have always played a very special role in her life were Dr. Sam Douglas Williams (wife Nell), of Birmingham, Alabama, and Virginia Donaldson Olander (Boa), of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Clintell James, of Barton, AL. She lived her life in the Barton and Red Rock communities and was a faithful member of Red Rock Church of Christ for many years.
The family will receive visitors from noon to 2 p.m. today at the Red Rock Church of Christ with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. The service will be officiated by Brother David Conley, Dr. Raymond Isbell, brother-in-law, and Brother Anthony Briggs of Red Rock Church of Christ.
Betty had many talents, but perhaps her most cherished was the relationships which she developed with her three children, Todd, Ellen, and Barry and her grandchildren. She was a very talented bank officer at First National Bank and later Colonial Bank in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Betty loved to cook for her family and will be remembered for her cornbread, macaroni and cheese, chicken and dressing, and chocolate pie. She and Walter loved to travel with their family and friends, and Betty will be remembered for her sense of humor, quick wit, love of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Arthritis Foundation in her memory, 500 Office Park Drive, No. 200 Birmingham, AL 35223.
Pallbearers will be Michael Isbell, Mike McWilliams, Greg McWilliams, Don McWilliams, Bob Carter, Chris McWilliams, Nancy Hughes, and Johnny Grissom.
Offer online condolences at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.
