Marie P. Williams of Caledonia, Mississippi

February 24, 1924 - April 3, 2020

A few weeks into her 97th year, on April 3, 2020, Marie Polk Williams died peacefully in her bedroom at Garden Hills Assisted Living Center, Columbus. While the last few weeks of her life saw isolation and social distancing as the order of the day, she still had daily visits “through the window” with her family.
Marie was born Mae Ree Polk in the Flint Hill Community of Lowndes County on February 24, 1924, the daughter of Julius Gilly Polk, known in the community as Uncle Jule, and Elizabeth Irene Honnoll. She and her older brother Thomas Melvin were children of the Great Depression and young adults during World War II, when he fought in Europe and she worked in a factory making uniforms for her older brother, her future husband and thousands of other soldiers.

Her name Mae Ree proved too confusing to family and friends. Somewhere along the way, she became Marie. Marie only regained a middle name after the War when she married Wm. Bardwell Williams, who had fought in the Pacific Theatre at Midway and Guadalcanal, and became for the rest of her life Marie Polk Williams. Marie and Bard put down roots in the same community where she had grown up on land that had been in her family since the 1820’s. Over the years, they were partners in farming, raising cattle and for a few years in the 1950’s and early 60’s running a country store. Their most challenging endeavor, though, was raising their three children, Tommy born in 1955, Dorothy in 1958, and Harold in 1960.

Her children still remember that deceptively sweet voice at an ungodly early hour, singing “School Days, School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days.” Which meant “Don’t make me go to the next line ‘Reading, Writing and ‘Rithmetic, Taught to the Tune of a Hick’ry Stick.’” Marie was an adherent to the Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child Philosophy, administered with love, and hickory switches played prominently in the childhood of at least one of her children, spared the embarrassment of identification here. She was determined her children would take advantage of the opportunities for college and beyond she’d missed because of a Depression and a War, and Marie succeeded in that.

From the breakfasts they never wanted but were forced to eat to the best fried chicken, pot roast, fresh vegetables “cooked down” and fresh coconut cake, Marie loved cooking for family and friends. Her children joked that all came to an end when she discovered the concept of healthy eating at about the same time she learned how to make a casserole. Besides cooking, Marie loved the outdoors, gardening and caring for her yard, visiting with family and friends, and in her later years being an active member of Flint Hill United Methodist Church, which became an important part of her life as she lived independently after Bard’s death in 1985.



Marie was born of strong pioneer stock, and that physical strength and strength of will shaped her entire life. Into her late 80’s she insisted on riding her big mower and taking care of her 2-acre yard, planting her annual vegetable garden, taking care of herself without bothering anyone else. The last three years saw that strength diminish, but even after going to live at Garden Hills, there was a part of Marie that wanted to be back home, puttering in the kitchen, waking whoever was around early because she’d just made a big breakfast. Her life was built around taking care of others, and that endured as long as she did.


Marie was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bard and her brother Melvin. She leaves three children, Thomas (Elise) of Ridgeland, Dorothy (Jack Langford) and Harold (Sandy) of Caledonia; her grandchildren whom she loved dearly Dr. Frazier Williams (Dr. Jessica) of Tupelo, Arie Carlton (Brandon) and Morgan Williams of Columbus, Ann Marie and Faith Langford of Caledonia, Heather Popescu (Nick) of McLean, VA, Swayze Williams of Gallatin, TN and Marie Elise Griffin (David) of Franklin, TN. She was thrilled in her last years to meet her six great grandchildren Ellie Carlton, Farrah and Hugo Williams, Alex and Sydney Popescu, and Charles Thomas Griffin. Marie also leaves a number of nieces and nephews including Charles and Karl Williams who were always checking on “Aunt Mae-Ree”.

Marie will be laid to rest beside Bard with a short private committal service at Egger Cemetery, the fifth generation of Polks and Honnolls buried there. At an appropriate time her family will plan a Celebration of Marie’s life.

If you are inclined to make a donation in memory of Marie, her favorite causes were Flint Hill Methodist Church 1912 Freeman Road Caledonia, MS 39740 or Egger Cemetery Fund P.O. Box 73 Caledonia, MS 39740