Mary Lou Elder Williams
Montevallo

Mary Lou Elder Williams, daughter of Joseph Lee Elder and Patricia Alice Elder was born July 14, 1947 in Fort Scott, Kan. After moving with her family to Alabama, Mary Lou attended Boaz High School where she was a member of the color guard and played flute in the marching band, was a member of Beta Club and National Honor Society, and was the state president of Future Homemakers of America in 1964-1965. After graduation from Boaz High, Mary Lou moved briefly to Kansas to attend Ottawa University, but returned to Alabama after a year. Mary Lou enrolled at The University of Montevallo, a choice that would guide her life’s work. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English in 1969, Mary Lou went on to earn her master’s degree in education from The University of Montevallo.

In June of 1968, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Joseph (Joe) Scott Williams. The two shared 47 beautiful years of marriage. Joe and Mary Lou found great joy in raising their daughters, Beth and Scottie, and later in spending time with their granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth. Joe and Mary Lou also enjoyed being together in their home, Belmay Farm, loving their pets and experiencing local events together.

A fixture in Montevallo, seeing Mary Lou at the Art Walk or Farmer’s Market meant seeing Joe as well; often their daughters and granddaughter accompanied the pair. Her dedication to family will remain a model for everyone who knew her. In a 2013 article in Shelby Living magazine, Mary Lou summed up her feelings on her relationship with family as “a gift from God.”

In addition to education and family, Mary Lou also made her mark in an exemplary career. Mary Lou worked for The Girls Scouts of America and the YMCA before returning home to Montevallo. In an article she wrote for Montevallo Today titled “The First Time I Saw Montevallo,” Mary Lou recounts the impact that the campus and her experiences made on her life and encourages others to reflect on the impact of these same experiences. The comfort of passing through the gates of the University welcomed her back to campus as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in 1985, a job she was devoted to until her retirement in 2008.

During her career at Montevallo, Mary Lou also advised the members of her sorority, Chi Omega. Her dedication to Montevallo was recognized numerous times. In 1998, UM Elite Night was dedicated to her and her service; in 2000, she received the Outstanding Service award from the National Alumni Association; in 2013, she received the Montevallo Hometown Hero Award; and in 2015 College Night was dedicated to her. In October 2015, the annual alumni recognition award was renamed The Mary Lou Williams Alumnus Loyalty Award and will stand in perpetuity as a symbol of the lovely relationship Mary Lou and Montevallo enjoyed for so long.

After leaving the University in 2008, Mary Lou continued working for the community she loved as the Director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, a job she held until 2013.

Mary Lou was a dedicated member of University Baptist Church in Montevallo, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She was a member of the American Association of University Women who awarded her The Pathfinder Award for her service and commitment; she was also a member of the Montevallo Study Club, served on the Montevallo Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council, and was a long time member of The Rotary Club. In her free time, Mary Lou loved playing tennis and cheering for the Falcon’s basketball team.

Mary Lou Elder Williams departed this life Wednesday, March 2, surrounded by family at her home.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Floyd and Eunice McElroy, and Joseph Eldon and Mary LoCattie Elder; her father, Joseph Lee Elder; and her grandson, Joseph Michael House.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph (Joe) Scott Williams; her daughters, Charlotte Elizabeth (Beth) House (Mike) of Montevallo, and Mary Scott (Scottie) English (Phillip) of Huntsville; her granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth House; her mother, Patricia Alice Elder of Montevallo; her sister, Lea Ann Webb (Jim) of Montevallo; her sister-in-law, Peggy Williams of Pelham; her brothers-in-law, Bryan Lee Williams (Cathy) of Athens, and Michael Hugh Williams (Nancy) of Guntersville, and their families; her nephew, Holder Nevins (Kendra) and their daughters, Harper and Morgan of Boston, Mass., and countless dear and beloved friends.

Inscribed on the beautiful work of art given in honor of her retirement are the words, “Years Rich and Fruitful.” Mary Lou’s years were indeed fulfilled, rich, nurturing, and fruitful in her legacy of love and service.

Please join our family in celebrating Mary Lou’s life. The memorial service will be Monday, March 7 at 2 p.m. at University Baptist Church in Montevallo. Visitation will start at 12:30 and continue after the service as needed.

A special thank you to the doctors and nurses in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham for taking such special care of Mary Lou.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial gifts be made in Mary Lou’s name to the Mary Lou Williams Endowed Scholarship in Arts and Sciences to benefit rising students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. Gifts can be mailed to UM Foundation, Station 6215, Montevallo, Alabama 35115.