CONWAY — Mary Frances Barfoot-Williams,
77, of Conway took the hand of the angel peacefully Saturday morning, January 8,
2022, in hospice care after a 75day battle with pneumonia followed by other complications, and a warrior fight of 18 years with Stage-4 cancer.
Mary was retired from the State of Arkansas. She was a champion of education for all, especially special needs students. She was a member of the American and Arkansas Vocational Association, 199192 President of the National Association of Special Needs State Administrators (NASNSA), served on the Governor’s Board for Goodwill of Arkansas, was a licensed social worker and a Vocational Teacher for Special Needs Students. She held double Masters degrees from Arkansas State Teachers College (presently University of Central Arkansas). She obtained the highest member degree (Torch) of Beta Sigma Phi Laureate Alpha Omega Chapter and was a member of the Business Professional Women’s’ Association.
Mary loved animals, especially dogs and cats. She and Maurice had seven rescue dogs over the years, along with two Dalmatians, which they dearly loved. She believed humans were given the task by God to take care of animals since they cannot speak for their needs or themselves yet are dedicated companions and give far more than they take.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, C. B. and Martha Lela (Langley) Barfoot; and her sister, Peggy Hahn.
She is survived by her husband, just shy of 40 years, James Maurice Williams; stepson, James Marc (Olga) Williams; stepdaughter, Janna Lynn Williams-Michaelis; nephews, Alan (Sarah) Hahn and Michael (Stacy) Hahn; grandchildren, Jeremy Williams, Jakob (Alicia) Michaelis, Melissa (Drew) Dixon, Ashleigh (Daniel) Hawks, Zach (Monica) Williams, and Jeremiah Williams; great-nieces Taylor (Marcus) Risner and Morgan (Carson) Williams; and great-nephews, Williams Hahn, Jakob Hahn, and Luke Hahn; six great-grandchildren, Cypress Michaelis, Jazlyn Hawks, Juniper Michaelis, Cedar Michaelis, Sophia Williams, and Olivia Williams; one great-great-nephew, Grayson Risner; three greatgreat-nieces, Austyn Williams, Sloane Williams, and Ellery Risner; and a host of extended family and friends.
A visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Friday, January 14. from 3-7 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117. There will be no chapel or mausoleum service due to the recent spike in COVID numbers. Our honorary pallbearers are: Alan and Michael Hahn, Brian Scott Williams, Jeremy Williams, Jakob Michaelis, Zachary Williams, Jeremiah Williams, and Daniel Hawks. The family welcomes all to visitation and asks that you observe all COVID precautions (masks, hand-sanitizer and social distance).
Please consider donations to the Conway Animal Welfare Shelter Support Inc. (CAWSS), a non-profit organization, mailing address: CAWSS, 1455 Tolkien Dr., Conway Ark. 72034