Thaya Arlette Swartz Williams

© Enid News and Eagle

03-19-2019

Submitted by: Glenn

© Enid News and Eagle

September 21, 1933 - March 18, 2019

A celebration of life for Arlette Williams, 85, of Enid, will be 11:00a.m., Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Emmanuel of Enid with Rev. Wade Burleson officiating. Burial will follow in Enid Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 20 from 6:00-7:00p.m. at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

The Life of Thaya Arlette (Swartz) Williams - Will the circle, be unbroken, as this humble servant of the Lord heads home. Arlette was born September 21, 1933, in El Reno, OK, to Merle David & Martha Mae (Buchannan) Swartz. The youngest of four, Arlette and her family moved to Geary, OK, where she would attend & graduate High School, march in the band, was in the Eastern Star, and worked at her father's soda fountain he owned & was Pharmacist.

After graduating she moved to Enid to live with her sister Marthalene Rowland & attend Phillips University until taking a job in the small but best café' in downtown Enid, Ray's Lunch, where she would meet the love of her life, John William "Bill" Williams when he was home on leave from the Navy. The owners of that café were her future in-laws Ray & Roberta Williams, who she loved & was devoted to. After being married on April 30, 1955, and through her life, they would spend time antiquing, fishing, gardening, and purchase their home in Enid and live at the same house for the next 50 years.

They started their family in 1960 with the birth of their son William Ray (Bill), followed in a year by Melinda (Mindy) Lou and complete their family 18 months later with Robert Lee (Bob) Williams. Supper on the table together each night and a prayer would be a mainstay of the Williams household. Bill and Arlette began attending Emmanuel Baptist Church where she continued for almost 60 years until her passing, culminating with a very special group of ladies in her Sunday School and Pastor Wade who she adored.

Early in the marriage she worked for Dr. Windell Mercer, then a stay at home mom and as happens, life would change, and Arlette went back to work to help support the family and was hired immediately to be Manager of J.C. Penny's catalog department where should would work and retire after over 20 years. Her careers and service were not over, she went to work for the Enid School system as a cook at Glenwood Elementary, then went on to be a bus monitor on the special needs bus until her final retirement at the age of 84. (No that isn't a typo.) All her life, Arlette loved spending time with and taking care of her family. Beside her family, Arlette's love and passion was the University of Oklahoma football team.

Every Saturday in the fall, the pacing through the house would begin, the "loud" coaching leveled through the TV to the team to do better and win. She passed her love of sports; football, (and OU) on to all her children as her father had graduated from OU. When Bill, Arlette, & the kids watched an OU game together, we hoped the floors would hold & the roof would stand and that continues to this day. When the pride and joys of her life, the grandchildren came around, she and Bill would drive all over the state to watch them in their sports and activities with the same level of enthusiasm and helpful advice to the referees and umpires.

Arlette's family included her loving children and grandchildren; Bill and wife Ann Williams of Enid, with their children Lindsay, Melissa, Ramsey/wife Nicole, Rayann and Bailey; Mindy & husband Karl Hunter of Ft. Supply, OK with their sons, John, Shelby/wife Emelie and Shawn/wife Jessy; Bob Williams and the final precious grandchild, Harper Lee of Bartlesville, OK. She also had seven great-grand-children and her very special niece, Jennifer (Rowland) who loved to spoil her; her sister Juanola Garriott of Norman, OK, along with numerous other family and friends. Her beloved puppy Penny who was her faithful companion until the end.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John William (Bill) Williams of over 50 years; her very special sister, Marthalene Rowland & husband Buddy; her parents Merle & Martha Swartz; her in-law's, Ora Ray & Roberta Daisey (King) Williams and several sisters & brothers-in-law.

Arlette would state, with tears in her eyes, I was truly loved by the best man and the best kids in the world, all a blessing from God. In truth, Arlette blessed the lives of her family and friends. She would want everyone to know she accepted the Lord as her savior at a young age, loved the Lord her entire life, and after a short battle with cancer, passed away at her home, surrounded by loved ones and went home to Heaven on March 18, 2018. Truly, the Circle is Unbroken.

Memorials can be made to Emmanuel of Enid with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made and services viewed at www.ladusauevans.com

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