Evelyn "Anne" McWilliams' Obituary
Evelyn Anne McWilliams (Anne) passed away peacefully on November 10, 2016 at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Dora Stillwell, her sister Phyllis Jean (Stillwell) Prokop, and her husband Charles Augustus McWilliams.She was born on October 26, 1920 at the family farm in Weleetka, Oklahoma. Mrs. McWilliams graduated from Weleetka High School in 1938 playing the piano and cello which provided scholarship money for her college education. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in 1942 from the University of Oklahoma. Following graduation on May 30, 1943, she married Charles A. McWilliams II just shortly before he joined the U.S. Navy; completed basic training and entered Naval officer training at Notre Dame. During the war she taught business and English courses in Weleetka.Mrs. McWilliams and her late husband, Charles A., were residents of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma since 1952 where they owned and published the Broken Arrow Ledger, Tulsa Southside Times, Bixby Bulletin, and the Jenks Journal. She worked as editor of the Southside Times and was known for her weekly column, “The Last Word.” Mrs. McWilliams was the first person in her family to graduate from high school and achieve a university degree. She always believed that “to educate is to empower”. She proved to be a vibrant leader for many years of service on the Board of Regents of Tulsa Community College.Mrs. McWilliams, an accomplished student of the Bible, was a charter member at Arrow Heights Baptist Church where she served in various capacities. In more recent years she attended First Baptist Church Tulsa where she played the piano for her Sunday School class, even into her nineties. She supported multiple organizations including the Broken Arrow Historical Society Museum, Tulsa Community College, Baptist Orphans Home, and the University of Oklahoma. Education was a primary value for Mrs. McWilliams. She traveled the United States and world extensively, including trips to Europe, Israel, China, and Mexico. She encouraged her children to pursue the highest levels of education in their respective fields. They heeded her guidance by earning terminal degrees in medicine, law, and educational research. She was very proud of her 4 children’s educational accomplishments.Survivors include her 4 children, Dr. Greg McWilliams, Dr. Charles A. McWilliams (Cindy), Dr. Jean Ann Foley (Gary Cole), and Mr. Scott McWilliams, J.D.; her six grandchildren, Aaron McWilliams (Elizabeth), Meredith Bollinger (John), Molly Hey (Brandon), Heidi McWilliams, Mykaila DeLesDernier (Matt), and Zachary McWilliams; and nine great grandchildren, Cate, Annie, Jill, Alice, Mack, Lucy, Cora, Hattie, and Elodie.Mrs. McWilliams’ generosity, voice of reason, and unconditional love will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and dear friends.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73112Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 12:30 p.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Chapel. A reception from 2 – 4 p.m. will follow at the Family Center on the Floral Haven grounds.Visitation will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home.
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