Obit – Carolyn Neil Dickens Williams
Carolyn Neil Dickens Williams passed away on September 30, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born in Maggart, Tennessee, on November 13, 1937. Later the family moved to Gordonsville, TN, where she met the love of her life, Jerry. She graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1955. Surrounded by family and friends she learned lessons of faith, family, and service that she carried throughout her life. After marrying, she and Jerry made their home in Smithville, TN. Carolyn was a faithful member of Smithville First United Methodist Church for more than 66 years where she held service and leadership positions. She loved her church dearly and raised her children with that love and faith.
Carolyn served her community through various activities and organizations. She was a 33-year member of the Caney Fork Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and a 65-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES). In 2000, she was honored to serve as Worthy Grand Matron of the Tennessee Grand Chapter, OES, the highest elected office in the state. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling throughout Tennessee and other parts of the country with this fraternal organization.
In her work life, Carolyn was a talented florist and found joy in creating beautiful floral arrangements for holidays, homes, and funerals.
She is survived by daughter, Emily Williams (Chris) and son, Stan Williams (Pam); granddaughters Corey Jackson (Ray) of Powell, TN, Sarah Henderson (Andrew) of Tullahoma, TN, and Emily Turner (Clay) of Harvest, AL; great-grand-children Ava and Anna Studer and Barrett, Michael, and Alice Henderson. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Jerry Williams, her parents Horace Dewey Dickens and Elvie Doin Maggart Dickens, her sister and brother-in-law, Sybil and Ben Gentry, and nephew Wayne Gentry.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 2 to 8 PM at Bass Funeral Home, 71 E. Main St., Gordonsville, TN. The funeral service will be on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2 PM with Bro Terry Little and Bro John Vaughn officiating and Eulogy by Anna Studer, at Smithville First United Methodist Church, 108 N. 4th Street, Smithville, TN.
An Eastern Star funeral will be held at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes Friday October 2, 2026 at 6PM. Interment will follow in Gordonsville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the Smithville United Methodist Church or to Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association.
BASS OF GORDONSVILLE
