Clara Helen (Ray) Williams

Clara Ray Williams, 87, of Hillsboro passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 21, 2021, in her home surrounded by loved ones.  Celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 2 PM at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.  Rev. Danny Gilliam and her beloved grandson Rev. Cory Mullins will be officiating. Interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Hubbard. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Friday, September 24, 2021, at Marshall and Marshall Chapel.

Clara was born on April 6, 1934, in Philadelphia, Mississippi to Joseph and Jessie Ray. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Margret Lynn Moser and her husband D.L. Williams. 

Survivors include son, Dwight Mullins; daughter, Deborah Pugh and husband, Roger; son, Keith Mullins and wife, Lawana; son, Steven Mullins and wife, Mary; daughter, Teresa Porter; daughter, Brenda Osburn and husband, Mark; step-daughter, Pat Allen; step-son, Lenn Williams and wife, Janet; step-daughter, Jeanie Dykes and husband, Murph; step-son, Bob Moser; step-daughter, Judy Moser Handy; sister, Patricia Fitchjerrell; sister, Louise Burrows; sister, Mavis Jenkins; sister, Katherine Lambert and husband, Red.  As well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. 

She worked most of her life in the service industry to provide for her seven children.  Clara went on to open her own cafe, His Handmaidens, in Hillsboro, Texas. This wasn’t your traditional cafe, here people gathered for good food, to sing gospel music and fellowship. Her passion for cooking and serving others truly was a calling from above. 

She worked with friends at Thunderbird Restaurant for over thirty years where she eventually met the love of her life, D.L.  In her words “he made her feel like Cinderella and loved her like no one else ever could.”

Clara married D.L. Williams in 2001. They spent a beautiful twenty years together making music, traveling and playing dominoes with friends at “the barn.”    She expressed that the memories they made during this time account for a lifetime of happiness. 

The family wishes to thank Clara’s caregivers, her daughters Teresa and Deborah, and Providence Hospice of Whitney nursing staff for their care, support and nurturing services.  Also, a special blessing to Gary and Kathy Porter for being dear friends, always willing to go above and beyond.

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