Mrs. Mary Frances Forbes-Williams

Mrs. Mary Frances Forbes-Williams of Tampa, FL transitioned to her heavenly home on Thursday, February 13, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, 1006 W. Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33606 with Rev. Alan Harris, Pastor, Officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Mrs. Mary Frances Forbes-Williams was born in Tampa Florida, and she was educated in public schools of Hillsborough County, graduating from Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1967. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She continued her studies at National Louis University earning her Master of Arts Degree in Education. Mrs. Mary Forbes-Williams dedicated her life to serving others as a teacher for over 35+ years at various middle schools in Hillsborough County prior to her retirement.  

Mrs. Mary Forbes-Williams was a loyal and faithful member of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church for over 60 years, where she faithfully and proudly served as the Drama Ministry Coordinator, member of Sanctuary Ladies Guild, Ladies of Emerald, and the Sanctuary/Beulah Choir. Her community and civic organizations included being a member of the National Council of Negro Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 

She was preceded in death by: her loving and devoted husband, Herbert Williams; parents, Peter James and Katie Forbes, Sr; sister, Betty Briggs-Johnson; and brother, Rufus Forbes.

She leaves to cherish her loving and precious memories with: her brother, Peter Forbes Jr. (Elaine); devoted nieces and nephew, Eleanor JaNiece Bell (Cedric), Andrea M. Briggs, and Avery Briggs, Sr. (Stacey); step-son, James Rowe, Sr. (Stacey); god-daughter, Sydney Benjamin; god-daughter/great-niece, Kayla Bell-Consolver (Tabitha); great-nieces and nephews, Kaitlin Coleman (Samuel), Dorien Brown, and Avery Briggs, II (Tiffany); great-great nephew and niece, Jonathan Coleman and Alysia Bell-Consolver;  special friends, Mrs. Mary Gadson and devoted caregiver Laura Gilliam; and a host of many other relatives and friends.

The visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

http://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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