Marilyn Artina (Dent) Williams

Marilyn Artina Dent Williams, a beacon of love and faith, has been called to her Heavenly Home on June 19, 2024. Born to Elijah and Alter Mae Dent on a blessed day in Haines City, Florida, December 11, 1963 - Marilyn's life was a testament to the power of grace and the strength of the human spirit. She walked into the Lord's embrace, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories that will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew her.

As we gather to celebrate the life of Marilyn, we remember a woman whose faith was as unshakable as the ground beneath our feet. She grew up in the warmth of a loving family and was a proud alumni of Slocomb High School.

Marilyn's professional life was marked by dedication and hard work. She spent over fifteen years at Randall Lee’s Sewing Factory and later served at Jeffers Vet Supply for more than seven. Through her work, she touched lives with her kindness and her unwavering spirit. Her presence was a gift to all who worked alongside her.

Her spiritual journey was a cornerstone of her existence. The Bible Way Ministries COOLJC was not just her place of worship but her spiritual home where she found fellowship and purpose. Marilyn’s belief in the Lord was the guiding force of her life, and she served her church with the same passion she brought to every aspect of her living.

Marilyn had an infectious love for life. She embraced every person she met with open arms and an open heart. Her walks, talks, and joyous participation in Church Conferences, especially serving in the Business Office, were sources of great happiness. Her favorite hymn, "He’s An On Time God," spoke to her belief in the Lord's perfect timing and unwavering faithfulness.

Describing Marilyn as faith-filled, loving, and spirited only scratches the surface of the woman she was. She lived her life as a reflection of the love she received from the Lord, and she spread that love to everyone she encountered. She was a shining example of the scripture, "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Predeceasing her in death are her parents: Elijah Dent and Alter Mae Dent; her grandparents; her beloved brother: Ray Starks; her aunts: Carrie Scott, and Frankilly Dent; and her uncle: John Dent.

Her journey was marked by the love she shared with her two devoted sons: Johnny (Patrice) Williams and Lee Williams; her loving ex-husband: Johnny Williams - and the joy she found in the laughter of her grandchild: Shaniqua Williams and great-grandchild: Rhyne Sellers.

Marilyn was a sister, an aunt, a godmother, and a friend - a constellation of relations that stretched far and wide. Her siblings: Pauline Helms, Tammie Brown, Ira (Samantha) Dent, Robert (Gail) Dent, and Terry Dent - will carry her memory in their hearts. Her Godchildren: Keondria Redding, Ty’Derrion Holland, and Ashley Watts; her honorary God-mother: Lynette Durham; her God-Grandchildren: Kolton Stroud, and Akeelah, as well as her honorary daughter: Amber (Doc) Sheppard, are all testimonies to the love she extended beyond her bloodline. She also leaves behind a special friend: Carolyn Leonard, along with many other relatives and friends, will miss her dearly.

Today, we bid farewell to Marilyn Artina Dent Williams, a woman of extraordinary faith and boundless love. Although her physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the lives she touched. She has left an indelible mark on this world, and while we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the life of a woman who was truly a child of God.

Let us find comfort in knowing that Marilyn has been welcomed into the arms of the Lord, where she will find eternal peace and joy. Her journey on Earth may have ended, but her story - her love, her faith, her spirit - will continue to inspire and guide us. Until we meet again, Marilyn, rest in the glorious presence of our Creator.

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