Tommie Ann Moss Williams

October 29, 2021

Tommie Ann Moss Williams, age 89, of Henderson, KY, passed away from pneumonia on Friday, October 29, 2021 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia with her children by her side. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Fielding Griffin Williams; her parents, Thomas Herschel Moss and Lulu Musgrave Moss; and her three sisters, Virginia Holloman, Martha Henderson, and Marie Pruitt. Ann is survived by her four children: Robbie Williams, Dr. Sally Ann Wright, Ginny Baldwin, and Marti Williams-Martin. She was the adored grandmother of nine: Caroline Williams, Anna Williams, Will Wright, Sarah Wright, Madelyn Wright, Ashley Ann Baldwin, Morgan Baldwin, Abby Williams-Martin, and Sara Williams-Martin. Through her teenage years, Ann was a faithful member of Cash Creek Baptist Church, but an invitation to get ice cream with young adults from Zion Baptist Church led to a first date with Fielding. He was literally the “boy next door” since the two had grown up on adjacent farms. They married on December 19, 1954 in the Moss family home with Fielding’s brothers officiating. After graduating from Murray State University in 1950, Ann was a beloved teacher of home economics. In 1961, Ann and her sisters Martha and Marie opened the Sewing Center, which later became Trends & Traditions in the center of downtown Henderson. The decor and arrangement of many homes, banks, and office buildings throughout the tri-state were influenced by her creativity and skill as a designer. No project was too big or too small if it mattered to a client. Ann became an active member of Zion Baptist Church and hosted many events and gatherings with church friends. She jumped in to play the piano, teach, and serve on various church committees. As with her work, she regularly helped people find clever solutions to difficult problems. Whether it was by giving groceries or clothing to those in need, guiding someone to make better choices, organizing life-changing surgery for a friend from Russia, or speaking out for a good cause, Ann was always hard at work. She believed and demonstrated that faith in the Lord should be lived out by acts of kindness, care, and joy. A curious, lifelong learner, Ann valued education inside and outside the classroom; Though she was a serious student and teacher, those who knew her well also knew her dry-wit humor and have heard—or participated in—one of her imaginative pranks through the years. The Williams’ children gladly cared for their mother during the pandemic, primarily at Sally’s home in Atlanta with occasional stays on the family farm in Henderson. They are especially grateful to daughter-in-law Liz Cates Williams and son-in-law Dr. David Wright, who went above and beyond to share the responsibilities. The Williams family is also thankful for the staff of Colonial Senior Living in Henderson, Ann’s in-home caregivers, and the staff of Emory University Hospital. Relatives and friends are invited to Ann’s Life Celebration from 10:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday, November 4, at Bellfield Baptist Church, 9980 KY-136, Henderson, KY 42420. [Note: Zion Baptist is currently undergoing renovations.] The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., followed by a procession and brief graveside service at Fairmont Cemetery on South Main in Henderson. Marti Williams-Martin and Rev. Jamie Williams will officiate. The family sincerely requests that all attendees wear face masks. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Friends of Audubon, P.O. Box 576, Henderson, KY 42419 (www.friendsofaudubon.org). Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.