Marianne Hestir Williams

Marianne Hestir Williams, 90, of Jonesboro, passed away on February 9, 2020 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born in Des Arc, Arkansas, on August 6, 1929, the only child of William and Dr. Jewel Teem Hestir. Marianne grew up in Judsonia and graduated from Searcy High School in 1946 at the age of 16 and graduated from Ouachita Baptist College as a Bachelor of Science in 1949 at the age of 19 with a double major in biology and chemistry.

Marianne was accepted to medical school at the University of Arkansas, an offer she declined so she could marry her high school sweetheart, Emil Williams, whom she met in Searcy in 1945 and married May 5, 1950. The young couple started their life together in Louisville, Kentucky so Emil could attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Before her marriage, 19-year-old Marianne taught a combined class of 48 first- and second-graders at Bald Knob, Arkansas. After she moved with her new husband to Louisville, Kentucky she earned her certificate in elementary education and taught in the Jefferson County Public Schools for the next four years while taking brief time off to give birth to their first child, Ann in 1952.

Over the next 15 years, Marianne and Emil’s family grew with the addition of Paul, Todd, and Ben as Marianne followed Emil’s career path in ministry to Lewisville, Russellville, Little Rock and finally their last home together, Jonesboro, in 1965. Marianne made lifelong friends at each home.

Marianne was an unfailingly gracious hostess, gifted cook, and talented thrower of parties, skills she utilized for the enjoyment of thousands over the decades. She hosted Sunday School, choir, staff, and college parties at her home. After Emil “retired” from First Baptist Church Jonesboro in 1995, she hosted Wednesday night meals at Magnolia Road Church.

She taught Sunday School for most of her life. At FBC Jonesboro she taught two classes that became institutions within the church. In the seventies she started and grew a young couples’ class to several dozen members who became lifelong friends with each other and her. In the eighties she led a new class of college and young adults that again grew from nothing to several dozen regular members.
To this day many of those young adults may not be so young, but many still fondly recall those classes, the fellowship, the dear friends they made, and the wonderful, enormous parties at 629 W. Matthews.

Marianne began her storied career as a skilled driver when she was twelve years old, taking her chiropractor mother to appointments for patients too infirm to leave their homes. She chauffeured children (her own and hundreds of others), the elderly, and disabled to and from church and doctors’ appointments through the years. She was always aware of her blessings as a beloved only child of older parents and then as the head of a large and loving home and used these car trips as a form of ministry for those who may not have been so blessed.

Those who did not have the blessing of a loving family had a special place in her heart and she felt a calling to extend the warmth and love she had received to those who needed it the most. Thousands have felt or seen Marianne extend her quiet, kind loving hand, often one person at a time.

Through seventy years as a Baptist preacher’s wife, Marianne always remained a Presbyterian at heart. Nonetheless, she served on the coordinating council of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and was on its first committee for missions and ministries. She volunteered at countless church and community ministries throughout her life. She was a member of the Jonesboro P.E.O. chapter.

She is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Emil, of the home; four children: Ann Williams of Jonesboro, Paul Williams of Chicago, Todd (Catherine) Williams of Jonesboro, and Ben (Tracey) Williams of Chicago; four grandchildren: Christian, Emma, Adam, and Henry Williams; and one nephew: Philip Williams (Patty) of Searcy.

A memorial service will be led by Rev. Tom Stafford at First Baptist Church, 701 S. Main, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11. Dr. Rodney Reeves will make the Call to Worship. A visitation will follow in the FBC Atrium. Pallbearers are to be Mike Smith, Dr. Mark McJunkin, Preston Williams, Jean Staggs, Dr. Carl Abraham, Dr. Richard Wang, Dr. Dick Freer, Charles Harris, Mike Mullally, and David Nuñez.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Magnolia Road Church for the benefit of the Friends and Neighbors Network.