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Mary Alice Brooks Williams, 82, departed this life on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Mary Alice was born on December 8, 1941, to the late William Brooks Sr. and Willie Mae Brooks in Austin, Texas. Mary became an active member of GMZ at an early age. She loved going to church and Sunday school. Mary loved to sing and became a spirit filled soloist. She sang in the choir as a child through adulthood and whenever she came home to visit. A significant event in Mary Alice’s life was that she was one of seven students who integrated Austin High School in 1955 as a part of Texas history. On February 13, 1958, Mary Alice married Grover Lee Murphy and to this union 3 children were born, and a bonus daughter was gained along with her siblings. Mary moved overseas and eventually graduated from Taipei American School, in Taipei, Taiwan, China, in 1960. Mary Alice married Don A. Williams Sr. on August 8, 1965, and to this union a son was born. Mary moved to Mansfield, Ohio with her husband and children. Mary Alice became a member at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Mansfield and served, worked, and supported the church in a variety of capacities. Her special loves were choir director, and Chairperson of Committed Women for Christ. Mary was a well-known gifted soloist. She was requested to sing at Mary Kay conventions, on ships, for weddings, guest soloists at churches etc. Mary Alice’s work career was varied, from being a receptionist at Sears, to being a clerk for the Municipal Courts for Richland County. She also had two successful independent careers as a Mary Kay Consultant and in the travel business with Worldventures. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Vivian Berkley, Caroll Ann Johnson, and Eloise Brooks and brother, William Brooks Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories sons: Don “Fella” (Samone) Williams of Atlanta, Georgia and Gerald “Dell” (Lisa) Murphy of Dublin, Ohio; daughters: Mary Jo (Greg) Simmons of Tucker, Georgia, Jacqueline “Jackie” Murphy-Ealey and Gloria “Baby” Murphy of Pflugerville, Texas, (bonus children), Elgean Woods and Billy Bounds; 10 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren; sisters: Grace (Jerry) Smith of Indian Land, South Carolina and Brenda Rogers of Austin, Texas, and brother: George (Carolyn) Brooks Sr. of Severn, Maryland, a special nephew Michael Walker of Mansfield, Ohio; sister in love Sarah Brooks of Austin, Texas and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She also was a mother and grandmother to many, as she collected children and grandchildren like others collect trinkets.

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Mary Alice Brooks-Williams

December 8, 1941 - November 13, 2024