Martha Etta Williams

Martha Williams

Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Etta Payne Williams, of East Dublin, will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 11 AM at the Williams Chapel Baptist Church, 1142 Georgia Highway 29 South in East Dublin. Pastor Elgin N. Dixon and Reverend Benny Brantley Sr., are the eulogists.

Mrs. Williams, a native of Toomsboro, Georgia, was born to the late Joe Payne, Sr., and Evetta Whipple Payne on June 25, 1938. She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Deacon John Henry Williams in 1961.

Mrs. Williams was employed in school food service over 38 years at Calhoun Consolidated High School, Dublin Junior High, Susie Dasher Elementary, and Hillcrest Elementary where she retired in 2000. At a young age, she began her Christian walk at Jordan Stream Baptist Church in Toomsboro. She furthered her journey at Union Hill Baptist Church, where she served as the secretary clerk, Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school teacher, usher and other auxiliaries. Mrs. Williams was one of the founding members of the Wilkinson County Wide Watch Night Service. While attending Union Hill Baptist Church, she frequently visited Williams Chapel Baptist Church and later became a member under the late Reverend James F. Sherman. There she held positions of deaconess, Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school teacher, culinary staff and served on the Missionary Board. Mrs. Williams was also an active member of the East Dublin Garden Club, where she served as the third vice-president of the Georgia Association of Garden Clubs, and State Educationalist. She transitioned from this life on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Lee Payne and Daniel Lee “Geech” Payne, and one sister, Leila Mae Payne Hall.

She leaves to cherish her memories three children, Wanda (Gilbert) Wilcher of Dublin, Brenda Arp (the late Reverend Christopher) Tard of Macon, and John Christopher (Valerie) Williams of Valdosta; four sisters, Jenell Payne Ficklin, Louree Payne Bell, both of Dublin; Mary “Queenie” Payne O’Neal of East Dublin; and Darlene Payne Maddox of Atlanta; three brothers, Joe (Bessie Mae) Payne Jr, Calvin “Peter” (Barbara Ann) Payne, Sr, both of Dublin, and Patrick (Elaine) Payne Sr of Tennille; nine grandchildren, Brandon (Keldra) Wilcher, DrPH(c), Brian (Alexis- PharmD(c)) Wilcher, of Dublin; Christopher Tard, Jr, Eboni Tard, Essence Tard, of Macon; Airman First Class (A1C) Joshua Williams of F.E. Warren Airforce Base Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jeremiah Williams, Jacob Williams, and Jabari Williams of Valdosta; 1 goddaughter, Shamika Shivers of Soperton; godson, Wayne Hall Jr of Dublin; uncle, Reverend L.V. Whipple of East Dublin; aunts, Evangelist Janie Whipple Gainor of Dublin, and Lucinda Robinson of Miami, Florida, sister-in-laws, Marian Lucille Williams and Lessie Williams, both of Miami, Florida. She was also affectionately known as “Big Ma” to Wesley “Tyrone” (Keisha) O'Neal, Chastity (Joe) Willis, Crystal (Benny) Brantley, Jeffrey (Permelia), PJ, Quan, Shonne, Ty’Dre, Ja’Than, Nadia, Zamani, Zo’Rian, Bra’Den, Zaria, Zalen “Boy”, MeKaya, MeKala and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including a close friend, Todd Stephens.

A wake will be held Friday, October 6, 2017, 4-6 PM at the Union Hill Baptist Church, 2752 Old Balls Ferry, Toomsboro, Georgia where Reverend Eddie Dean Smith, will deliver a eulogy.

Please post condolences at www.ServicesbyDudley.com.
Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin