Mary Frances (Roberts) Williams
December 20, 1936 – June 8, 2012

Mary Frances Roberts was born December 20, 1936, in Fresno, California, the second child of Porter and Frances Roberts. Mary Frances was raised in Fowler, California. She spent her childhood helping on the family's farm, working in the grape vineyards, helping care for her grandmother and spending time with her friends and family, especially her cousin Jane, with whom she had many adventures.

Mary Frances attended school in Fowler, graduating from Fowler High School in 1954. While in high school she was an accomplished swimmer, a member of the Swim Club, class president, active in Drama Club performing in many school plays, and was crowned Demolay Queen when she was a member of Job's Daughters. She went on to attend Fresno State University, obtaining a teaching degree in home economics in the class of 1958. While in college she greatly enjoyed attending her alma mater's football and basketball games with her circle of friends. An extremely proud Bulldog, she was a lifelong member of the Fresno State Bulldog Alumni Association

She went on to teach in Delano, California, and it was there that she met her future husband Carl Ray Williams. Carl and Mary Frances were wed on June 13, 1963, at the Fowler Presbyterian Church. They came to Lompoc, California in 1962, going to work for the Lompoc Unified School District. Mary Frances was one of the first teachers staffed upon the grand opening of Vandenberg Junior High School, now Vandenberg Middle School. Carl and Mary Frances had two children, Daniel Farrill, born in 1966 and Karen Frances, born in 1968. It was upon the birth of her children that she decided to no longer teach fulltime in order to better care for her family. She taught as a substitute teacher from that point forward until retiring alongside Carl in 1991. Upon their retirement Carl and Mary Frances embarked on a long, fun-filled series of adventures, traveling in their motor home across the United States many times, making trips to Germany, Alaska, Mexico and Nova Scotia/Newfoundland, seeing new and exciting places, making many cherished friendships along the way.

Mary Frances' hobbies consisted of gardening, reading, sewing, baking – especially chocolate chip cookies, and watching professional tennis on television. One of Mary Frances' greatest joys was her three grandchildren, Kelsey, Luke and Makenna.

Mary Frances was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fowler and Lompoc. She served the Lompoc congregation as a deacon for several years. She was a devout Christian who lived her life as such.

Mary Frances passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2012.

Mary Frances was preceded in death by her father, Porter Anderson Roberts and her brother Porter Roberts. She is survived by her husband of nearly 49 years, Carl Ray Williams, son Daniel F. Williams, daughter Karen F. Williams (Jimmy), mother Frances Roberts, brother Tom Roberts, grandchildren Kelsey, Luke and Makenna Oliveira, numerous nieces and nephews, cousin Jane Hall, many friends and extended family members and her beloved dog Roxy.

Mary Frances' family wishes to thank Dr. Suh, Dr. Walker, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Bosko, Dr. Novin, the Marian Home Healthcare Nurses, and the staff at the Convalescent Care Center for their ongoing care, compassion and support during her almost two year battle with Cancer. A special thanks to Jimmy Poggione who developed a very special, though brief, bond with Mary Frances assisting her during her illness and being a source of great comfort to her during the last three months of her life. She called him her Godsend.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012, at 2p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 408 East Merced Street in Fowler. A Celebration of Life will be held in Lompoc at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The American Cancer Society in hopes that someday we will find a cure.

May you now Rest In Eternal Peace, Mom.