Marie G. Williams

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams’ “Life Book”

In the Beginning:

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams was a wonderful mother, loving grandmother, beloved great grandmother, devoted sister, adored aunt, trusted confidant, and faithful servant of the most-high. She entered this world on October 15, 1930 in Elkton, Tennessee to the late Atha Garrison and Minnie Myrtle Reed-Holt-Garrison. Marie was the 14th child and baby girl of 15 children born and reared by this union.

Marie received her elementary school education from the Elton Tennessee Public Schools attending Conway Elementary. She attended Bridgeforth High in Pulaski, Tennessee from 1944-1948 and then continued her education pursuits as a first-generation college student by matriculating at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee and later attending Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Faithful Servant

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams professed her faith in Jesus Christ and dedicated her life to the Lord at an early age at the Union Hill Baptist Church, Elton, Tennessee. In 1953, Marie moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she joined the fellowship of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Dr. H.T. Toliver. Marie served the Mt. Olive Baptist Church faithfully and loyally as the Church Clerk for more than 35 years. She continued this pattern of being diligent in her commitment to Christ faithfully attending Sunday worship services, prayer meetings and bible study. Marie’s life was filled with her serving God in every capacity she could. She dedicated her life to ministry, providing leadership and always willing to help those in need. Over the course of her 66 years of membership, she was very active in various ministry organizations. Marie served as President of the Mt. Olive Willing Workers Club, member of the Missionary Society, Sanctuary Choir member, Food Pantry Associate, and Starlight Steppers Drill Team Sponsor with her infectious personality impacting all she encountered. She set a profound, enduring example of love and service to all God’s people.

A Life Well Lived

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams met the love of her life and future husband, Oliver Williams, who preceded her in death. On June 15, 1963 Oliver and Marie married in Indianapolis, Indiana, where they began their life journey together. Their union was blissful and filled with excitement and wonder for more than thirty-three years. To this union, a precious lovely daughter, Teresa Marie Williams-Brown was born. Teresa was Marie’s heartbeat until her untimely death in January 2019.

Marie was employed at the Fort Benjamin Harrison Finance Center. She retired as a GS7 Supervisor after 37 years of service in 1990.

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams loved and enjoyed the company of her family and friends. She along with her brother Samuel had a vision. Together they planned and coordinated the first Garrison-Holt-Reed family reunion 26 years ago in Marie’s backyard. Her main purpose was to bring all her immediate and extended family together for a time of remembering, recreating, renewing, and refreshing. Ultimately, she wanted to unite and reunite and recall the history and traditions of the Garrison-Holt-Reed family. This family reunion tradition continues to this very day.

Her Legacy Continues

Marie Ruby Garrison-Williams was called to Glory and entered eternity on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at the age of 88. Precious memories of Marie will be shared by her loving Grandchildren, Kevin Brown II (Ottawa, Ontario) and Adrianna Brown, (Lexington, KY); Amaya Marie and Jayda Marie Johnson (Lexington, KY.), Great Grandchildren. Marie is also survived by her baby brother and best friend, Samuel (Priscilla) Garrison (Indianapolis, IN.); one sister, Annie Mae Garrison-Warren-Edwards, (Chicago, IL); and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, her Mt. Olive Church family, loved ones, and friends. Of course, there remains a very special friend, Booker Posely and long-time confidant, Cathy Reynolds who have been true friends until the end. Marie’s legacy lives on in the seeds she planted and the lives she touched.

Sweet Chariot Ride

Our Lord and Savior saw fit to pluck this delicate flower from his garden. She had fought a good fight and finished her course (II Timothy 4:6-8). The Lord provided her two wings to veil her feet, two wings to veil her face, and two wings to fly away. A life well lived is a precious gift our grateful hearts will treasure always.

The End

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39)