Martha Jane Thomas-Williams

Martha Jane Thomas-Williams, 68, of Osceola, passed away Sept. 28, 2023, at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. She was born Aug. 10, 1955, in Osceola to the late Colliel Thomas-Daniel and Elzie Combs, Jr. She was of the Baptist faith, baptized under the pastorship of the late Rev. O.T. Williams, at Bethlehem M.B. Church in Osceola. She was united in holy matrimony to Charles Edward Williams (Smiley) on May 26, 1995. A lifelong resident of Osceola, she attended Rosenwald School from her elementary school years until it closed in 1971. She was a graduate of the class of 1973 of Osceola High School. She attended Mississippi County Community College (now ANC), where she obtained an associate degree, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock in 1984. She was employed by the Osceola School District, first as a teacher’s aide for 10 years, then as an elementary school teacher for 33 years. During her teaching career, she served on several committees of the District, and was a member of the Arkansas Education Association. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and served as the secretary of the local chapter, Iota Beta Zeta Sorority.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Abe and Eula Jimson; her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elzie Combs, Sr.; her beloved parents, Colliel Thomas-Daniel and Elzie Combs, Jr.; her stepparents, Josephine Combs and George Daniel; one son, Reginald Terron Thomas-Williams; one brother, Earvin Thomas; and one stepdaughter, Chelsea Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memories her beloved husband, Charles “Smiley” Williams of Osceola; six brothers, Freddie Lee (Marie) Thomas of Cleveland, Ohio, Mark (Joann) Daniel of Texarkana, Texas, Bart Robinson and Stephen Robinson of Osceola, Stancy Robinson of Jonesboro and Vincent Robinson of Kuwait; one aunt, Reynell Jimson of Cleveland, Ohio; two stepdaughters, her beloved Barbara Williams of Osceola and Tara (Montavious) Smith of Luxora; three stepsons, Michael Williams and Robert Arnold of Blytheville and Mystical Williams of Osceola; two very special grandchildren, Spanarda and Breanna Kirkwood of Osceola; 14 stepgrandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; niece Aarika Daniel; nephew Mark Daniel, Jr.; and her lifelong friend, Dorothy (Weenie) Norris.

Visitation will be Saturday, Oct. 7, from 1-2 p.m. with the funeral at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Osceola. Burial will be at Whiteside Cemetery in Osceola with pastor Ed Richardson officiating. Wilson Funeral Home in Osceola is in charge of the services.