Mae Beth Williams

Mae Beth Williams, age 75, passed away in Grants Pass OR in the company of family at her home on January 21, 2020 due to complications of cancer.

Beth was born April 6, 1944 in Illinois to Anne Maude McCarty Emge and Norman Joseph Emge and was raised in Evansville IN. She married Carey P. Williams III in Bloomington IN on April 22, 1967. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Indiana University in 1975.

Beth and Carey called many places home over the course of their marriage, including Buckden, England, Battle Creek MI, Warren OH, Lake Orion MI, Canton OH, Dayton OH, Anchorage AK, and settled for their retirement in Grants Pass OR. Beth held a variety of jobs, but during her time in Oregon she worked as a fiduciary and conservator.

Beth was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, the arts, and the outdoors, all passions she bequeathed to her children. She was an active volunteer throughout her adult life, supporting such organizations as the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers, Cub and Boy Scouts, and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation. She was also an active member of the Zonta Club of Grants Pass and AAUW.

Beth is survived by her brother N. Keith Emge, her son Gordon Ian Williams, daughter-in-law Leah Wrenn Berman Williams and granddaughters Ilana Elizabeth Williams and Matilda Chesla Williams, and her son Sean Dees and daughter-in-law Stephonee Dees.

She is predeceased by her husband Carey P. Williams III (1939 - 2011). She will be interred with him at Eagle Point Military Cemetery in a private family ceremony.

Donations may be made in her memory to Zonta Club of Grants Pass Foundation, PO Box 1615, Grants Pass, OR 97528 or to CaringBridge.org.

The family would like to thank the staff of Countryside Assisted Living and the excellent caregivers from Southern Oregon In Home Care, Three Rivers Hospital, and Bristol Hospice who attended her and helped ease her passing, and to encourage readers to obtain regular breast cancer screenings.

A celebration of life will be at 6:00 p.m., February 20, 2020 at Tap Rock - Evergreen Room hosted by the Zonta Club of Grants Pass.