Mary Louise James
Graveside services for Mary Louise James, 89, Alton, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2025, at Redburn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. James was called to her heavenly reward on May 9, 2025.
Mary Lou was born August 26, 1935, at Rover, Missouri, to Ray M. and Clara Mae Huddleston. She graduated from Thomasville High School with the Class of 1954. She excelled in many sports, but her favorites were softball and volleyball. She was a talented athlete and always at the top of her game. Upon graduation, Mary Lou attended Arkansas State University and received a bachelor’s degree in education. In August 1954, she was married to Carl R. Williams. To this union, two sons and one daughter were born: Larry Ray Williams, Gilly John Williams, and Vickie Louann Williams. They raised their children on a family farm near Thomasville, Missouri. Mary Lou started her teaching career in Ring, Arkansas, followed by various grade schools, including Nebo, Essex, Birch Tree, Alton, and Dixon, and she finished her career at Willow Springs. She taught kindergarten through sixth grade and retired after more than thirty years of faithful service. Mary Lou attended Shilo Baptist Church in Rover, Missouri, from childhood through adulthood and was a member for many years. She also attended Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs and First Free Will Baptist Church in West Plains. Mary Lou was always involved with music. She enjoyed playing, singing, and performing Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel music with her husband, Eugene James. They traveled by camper throughout the South and attended many music festivals. She and Eugene also enjoyed fishing and spent many hours in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, honing their skills in both music and fishing.
She is survived by her son, Larry Williams (Alicia); five grandsons, Johnathon Williams (Elin), Taylor Capocaccia, Carter Capocaccia (Raquel), Kennith Miller (Desiree), and James Miller (Renee); one granddaughter, Kimberlee Williams; three great-grandsons, Rylan Light, Desmond Williams, and Arlo Capocaccia; seven great-granddaughters, Brooklyn Miller, Carmen Miller, Kaylee Light, Mattie Schmidt, Katelyn Miller, Bailey Miller, and Juliette Williams; and one sister, Dorothy Barton.
Her parents, two children, Gilly John Williams and Vickie Louann Tipton, one brother, Dale Huddleston, two sisters, LaWanda Smoot and Joyce VonAllmen, and three spouses, Carl R. Williams, Oscar L. Jones, and H. Eugene James, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Redburn Cemetery Tornado Relief and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
David Black
May 12, 2025 @ 2:10 pm
Our condolences to all families. Mary Lou was a special lady and good neighbor. Katie and David Black
Bob Holland
May 12, 2025 @ 9:11 pm
Mary Lou was a great lady and even better neighbor!!!…Was always a pleasure to sit in on some of their music sessions in their home!!!…Condolences go out to her family at this most difficult time with your loss!!!…We miss them dearly everyday!!!…Love and prayers and we will see her again soon!!!
Scott Dozier
May 13, 2025 @ 9:52 am
Mary Lou was a neighbor and my fifth grade teacher at Alton Schools. She was a kind and helpful teacher and always held the kids best interests first and foremost.
Larry Rowe
May 13, 2025 @ 12:13 pm
Mary Lou was my favorite teacher and one of my most favorite and admired people throughout my life. She was always poised and made you feel important to her. I have not had the opportunity to see her in a number of years but have thought of her often. May God bless and be with you Larry during this difficult time.
Janie (Chronister) Webb
May 17, 2025 @ 2:05 pm
I’m so sorry to be reading this —- Mary Lou & my mother, Beulah Chronister, attended Arkansas State & roomed together for the summer session. I got to baby sit Larry—he was only @ 5. 🙂 She was such a beautiful lady, inside & out. Dorothy, I’m so sorry about your losses—-may God comfort all of the families as only HE can.
Kennith Miller
May 17, 2025 @ 8:39 pm
A Wonderful Lady
Grandma Mary Lou, as we affectionately called her, was such a blessing to our family. We will always cherish the memories of visiting her—at her home in Missouri, in beautiful Port Aransas, Texas, and later at Shepherd’s View.
A devoted Christian, Mary Lou lived her faith through service, kindness, and music. She loved traveling across the South, singing in churches, One particular stop was especially meaningful—she sang at a church in Conway while we were living there, and we were lucky enough to witness her share her gift in a place so close to home. Her voice brought joy and comfort to many, reflecting the depth of her spiritual life.
The teacher in Mary Lou never faded. Every year, she would send “school money” to Brooklin and Carmen to help them buy supplies. She was always so proud of her granddaughters and their continued education.
She also had a deep love for travel and meaningful experiences. One year, while visiting family in Little Rock, AR, she expressed a desire to see Billy Graham. Desiree (my wife now) and I had the honor of taking her to War Memorial Stadium for the event. It was a deeply moving experience that we will never forget.
She will be dearly missed by the many students she inspired, the family she cherished, and the children she lovingly raised.
We love you, Grandma Mary Lou.
With love,
Kennith, Desiree, Brooklin, and Carmen