Mary Burrus Williams of Buxton, NC, daughter of Maurice and Rebecca Mary Stevens Burrus, passed away on March 27, 2021 at Peak Resources – Outer Banks with her loving family gathered around. She is predeceased by her parents and a brother Gilbert Stevens Burrus and a sister Sarah Burrus Shoemaker. She is survived by her husband Dennis Earl Williams, Sr., and sons, Dennis E. Williams, Jr. and wife Janet of Poquoson, Virginia; Maurice Burrus Williams and wife Lynn of Vienna, Virginia; and a daughter Rebecca Williams Snyder and husband James of Williamsburg, Virginia. Grandchildren: Kyle Snyder; Andrea Williams; Dennis Isaac Williams and wife Heather; Jake Williams; Layne Williams; Bryce and Declan Williams; and great-grandchildren Irie Williams and Dennis Colt Williams; and a sister Dixie Burrus Browning, and nephews and nieces.
Mary was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and shortly thereafter mother and daughter were flown to Hatteras Village by David Driscoll in his piper aircraft during his pioneer days of flying to the Outer Banks, landing on the old ball diamond where he proclaimed Mary was his youngest passenger. Mary attended the Hatteras Village School through 8th grade, and graduated from the consolidated island school in Buxton in 1959. After attending Dell Medical School of Technology she married her high school sweetheart Dennis who was serving in the US Coast Guard. They together traveled to numerous duty stations where Mary would work in the Exchange Stores and served as a board member on the Enlisted and Officers Wives Clubs and raised a wonderful family until retiring to Buxton after thirty years of travel.
In retirement and after helping build their home she agreed to serve as First Mate on their commercial fishing boat, Sea Tick, where flounder fishing and crabbing got to be old pretty fast; so she found a way, as she said, to get fired to pursue a fulltime career in writing and did become a published romance writer.
Mary was a captivating story teller as attested by neighbors who would stop by and sit on the porch and share Hatteras Island memories, including time before the island road was paved. She also reminisced about the low flying military training planes dropping notes to the young women sun bathing on the beach. Her passing leaves an everlasting void in our lives.
Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She considered herself blessed to have such a wonderful family, and, she said that was her greatest achievement. There will be a private ceremony at the home at a later date. At her request, Mary was cremated and her cremated remains will be spread in the places she loved. We were incredibly blessed to have had her in our lives. She was a lifelong member of the Hatteras United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers and donations, persons may make a donation to charity of one’s choice.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
Twiford Funeral Home (Outer Banks)
500 Budleigh Street, PO Box 595,
Fax: (252) 473-3392
Email: David.Twiford.Jr@TwifordFH.com
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Beth Newton Williams
My friend from age 3 , and probably before. Together Mary and I were always able to make mischief — and memories.
The obit says it best: “Her passing leaves an everlasting void in our lives.”
My condolences to Dennis and all of her family.
Sybil Austin Skakle
Dear Dixie and family-
Beth alerted me to Mary’s death and birth to Eternity.
She lived a full and satisfying life. She was lovely. I had not seen Mary since she was a girl.
My love and prayers for the Comforter to be present and give you gladness in the midst of grief, which our humanity demands of us, but Mary is free and alive in Him, Whom we claim as Lord. Allelulia.
Love never ends and surrounds us and those whom we love forever,
Sybil
Susie Austin
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My sincere sympathy to all of the family.
Maurice Quidley
I’m truly sorry for your loss, pray God’s comfort will be yours.
Gerald & Jane Rollinson
Our prayers and sympathy are with you Dennis ( Spike) and family at this time. May God give you his peace at this time!
Milah
Mary was a special person love to her family and may God bless and. give you peace .
Anne Burgess Jennings
A Promise Kept. Comes into my mind time and again when I think about common ancestry. This story added to the richness of my life’s experiences by proxy. I am so sorry for this loss. The entire family has my sincere condolences.
Eloise & Al Glonek
Dennis , Dixie and all the Family , Al and I have you in our thoughts and prayers, God bless and comfort you.
Dixie Burrus Browning
My Baby Sister, Mary…so many memories. One of the earliest was of her climbing through an upstairs window out onto a porch roof. Another was her diaper-clad baby body being brought home in the arms of a Coast Guardsman from the station across the road. Years later, when I was writing contemporary romances, it was Mary who talked me into writing historicals, and we became Bronwyn Williams. I miss her.
Rosa Alice Mayo
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. May God hold you all in the the palms of His hands and grant you peace and comfort. Mary was a beautiful lady in everyway.
Jasper and Lynn Williams
Dennis and Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. God Bless.
MaryDawn Midgett Judy
I offer prayers for the repose of Mary’s soul and peaceful hearts for those who grieve her leaving.
gracie gray
May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.
Rauna Fuller
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the Williams and Burrus family.
linda browning
Mary was a treasure – so sweet, sincere, and fun. Her laughter will always ring in my happy memories of family. My deepest sympathy to all who loved her.
Beverly Bull
Sincere condolences, Dixie and all of Mary’s family and loved ones.
Catherine James
Sincere Condolences Ms. Dixie and to all the family .
Chris Cantwell
My heart goes out to her entire family. I’m so sorry for the loss of such constancy in your lives.
Martha Taylor
Sending love and comfort to those she left behind. Her spirit lives on forever in your hearts and minds.
Joe Stevens
My favorite first cousin. We talked frequently. I remember summers at Hatteras with her and the family in the house on the Slash. I was about 8 years old. She will live forever in my mind. I am in Kodiak now. Last saw her in November 2006.
Holly Meekins Williams
To the Burrus and Williams families — Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers in your great loss. What a legacy to treasure her memory always. Sincere sympathies to all.
Cheryl Gray-McDonald
Deepest sympathy to Dennis and the entire Williams and Burrus families in the loss of your beloved, Mary. My heart goes out to each of you.