Flora A. (Fowler) Williams

Flora Ann Williams, 87, of Harbor Springs, passed away on May 15, 2022.

Ann was born on September 12, 1934, in a log cabin on a sharecroppers farm in Bowman, Georgia. She was the second of five children born to Elma Lee and Jessie Mae (Brown) Fowler. She came to Harbor Springs as a nanny where she was introduced to Richard Williams by Joe Davert. They fell in love and were married July 11, 1957, one year after their first meeting. They were excited to be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this summer. Her greatest joy was being with and watching her family grow.

They moved to Ludington, Michigan, where they had their first two children, Retina and Alesia. After two years, the family moved back to Harbor Springs and completed their family with the birth of their youngest daughter, Merinda.

In 1967, Ann became the secretary to the principal of Harbor Springs High School. She loved helping the students and was an advocate for those who struggled. She retired from HSHS as the secretary to the superintendent after many years. She taught herself how to use computers, well before computers were commonplace. She was known by her grandchildren as the “techie grandma” and stayed current with the latest gadgets. She was extremely smart, hardworking, selfless, and strong. She took pride in being able to fix just about anything.

In her spare time, Ann enjoyed sewing. She made countless dresses for her daughters including prom dresses. She was a talented cook and her family will miss her biscuits, pound cakes, and butter peas. She loved playing basketball in high school and, as an adult, played tennis, golf, and was on a ladies bowling team for 10 years. She also enjoyed playing card and board games with friends and family. She remained competitive throughout her life, winning last week’s Tranca game. She enjoyed the daily challenge of Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Price is Right and, most recently, Wordle.

She was a long-standing member of Stutsmanville Chapel in Harbor Springs and attended Peace River Baptist Church while spending winters in Punta Gorda, Florida. She always looked forward to seeing her neighbors and breakfast group in Florida. She was a member of the Harbor Mrs. Extension group where she had lifelong, treasured friends. She loved playing the piano and singing old hymns. She enjoyed attending Winsome Women and was looking forward to attending this week.

Ann loved to travel. She visited 47 states and had been to Europe twice. She was extremely interested in her family’s genealogy and liked planning trips where she could visit with family members.

We will remember her most for her love of God, dedication to her country, and devotion to her family.

She is survived by the love of her life, Richard Al Williams; her daughters, Retina (Bill) Calhoun, Alesia (Danny) Dunlap, and Merinda (Jeff) Kruzel; grandchildren, Kathrine (Chris) White, Clay Dunlap, James Richard (Katie) Dunlap, William (Gabriela) Calhoun, Elliot (Chara) Calhoun, Elizabeth (Marty) Serva, James (Marleah) Kruzel, Andrew (Rebekah) Kruzel, Austin (Kelly) Kruzel, Jasmine (Austin) Tiemersma; 17 great-grandchildren; her beloved sisters, Marie (Daryl) Cottle, and Annette (Wendell) Sumner; and by her sister-in-law Betsy Fowler.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband’s parents, Roy A. Williams and Yeteve Chellis, brother Dr. John E. Fowler; and sister Jannette Denby.

There will be a funeral service at Stutsmanville Chapel on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with one-hour visitation prior to the service. Pastor Ed Warner will officiate. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home.

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