Samantha M. Williams' Obituary
Samantha Jane Morris Williams left this world to spend eternity with Jesus on January 19, 2026, at the age of 91. Her long and fulfilling life will be remembered by those who loved her.
Samantha was born on December 24, 1934, in Williston, Tennessee, to Thomas Ray Morris, Sr. and Donna Inez Gurkin Morris. Samantha continued to spend many of her formative years in Fayette County, where her love of music and her dedication to hard work began to take form. Growing up in Somerville, Tennessee, Samantha played the organ on Sundays at First
Presbyterian Church, and she worked at Rhea Drug Store on Saturdays. Samantha graduated from Fayette County High School and went on to earn her degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Music, from Memphis State University. Samantha enjoyed being a schoolteacher for over 30 years, and she retired from the Memphis City Schools in 1999.
Throughout her life, Samantha not only valued music and hard work, but she also treasured her family. She married Malcom Blake Williams, Sr. on August 16, 1959, and they had two children,
Blake and Carole Anne. Samantha was a caring wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, shopping afficionado, and a dedicated fan of the Memphis State Tigers. She was a faithful member of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where she sang in the choir. Samantha felt most at peace sitting on her porch, watching the surrounding wildlife, praying, and thanking God for blessing her greatly.
Samantha is preceded in death by her husband, Malcom Blake Williams, Sr.; parents, Thomas Ray Morris, Sr. and Donna Inez Gurkin Morris; siblings, Charlene Morris Atkeison, Thomas Ray Morris, Jr., Peggy Morris Stainback, and Walter “Buster” Morris.
Samantha is survived by her brother, Jesse (Patsy) Morris; children, Malcom Blake (Donelle) Williams, Jr. and Carole Anne (Jeff) Williams Moore; grandchildren, Hope (Brandon) Moore Wright, Grace Moore, and Faith Moore.
The celebration of life will take place at Memorial Park in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., and the service will be held at 11:00 a.m. The graveside burial will follow at Memorial Park Southwoods in Memphis, TN. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Longview Heights Baptists Church.
"All the glory, honor, and the praises all day belong to God."
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