Navis Williams

Tupelo - Navis Welford Williams, 91, died Monday, March 7, 2011, at Cedars Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. Born in Sulligent, AL. on December 19, 1919, to Harvey and Carrie Jones Welford, she grew up in Aberdeen, MS. After marrying Rush Williams and moving to the Tupelo area, she worked as Director of Admissions and Discharges for 30 years at the North Mississippi Medical Center. Affectionately known as Nanny, she loved cooking for her family and friends, flower gardening and working in her yard. She also enjoyed playing cards with her friends at Avonlea where she lived for the past three years. She was the first to be named Resident of the Month at Avonlea. She was a member of West Main Church of Christ.

Visitation will be 12 to 2 p.m. Thursday at W.E. Pegues Funeral Home followed by graveside services beginning 2:30 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery with Minister James Segars officiating.

Survivors include her two daughters, Mary Randle of Tupelo and Margaret King (John) of Lexington, Ky.; one granddaughter, Tracy Randle Dhinsa (Vikram) of Duluth, Ga.; one grandson, Jay King of Lexington, Ky.; one great-grandson, Landon Dhinsa.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Rush Williams who died Dec. 23, 1995; her three brothers, Henry, Woody, and W.G. Welford; and two sisters Myrtle Swinney and Jeanette Smith.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Project Hope C/O Shirley Bennett at Avonlea Retirement Community, 2824 Lawndale, Tupelo MS 38801; or the Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com