Dorothy J. Williams, age 83 of Gulfport, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2026, peacefully at her home surrounded by her daughters

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fate and Lela Floyd, Sr.; her loving husband of 31 years, George Douglas Williams; her siblings, Fate Floyd, II, Ruby DeBouse, Beatrice Veneable, Marie Smith, and Richard Floyd.

She leaves behind her loving children: Angela Payne of Biloxi, Cheryl Killion of Newport News, Virginia, Jean Walker of Ocean Springs, Charles Smith Jr. of Gulfport and Samantha Hall of D'Iberville; her beloved sister, Claudette Smith; her son-in-law, Terry Killion, who shared prayer with her; and a legacy of love through her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A devoted retired Nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital always serving others with compassion, but what mattered most to her was family. She loved to dance, she loved celebrating life, and birthdays were very important to her. No matter what it cost, she made sure her children had birthday cakes because she believed every life should be celebrated.

Today we gather to celebrate the life of our beloved mother. She was a woman of strength, faith, and deep love for her family. In 1999, Dorothy committed her life to Christ as she was baptized at New Birth Holy Ministries by Overseer Shephard Gayle Carter. She was known by the church as Mother Dorothy Williams. Mom believed in the promises of God and believed that anyone could do anything if they put their heart and faith into it. She was always an encourager, reminding us to believe in ourselves and to go after what God placed in our hearts.

Though our hearts are heavy, we hold onto the promise in Ecclesiastes 3:1:

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."

Mom loved her family deeply, and her prayers, her encouragement, and her love will live on in all of us.

Mom, thank you for everything. We will miss you, we will honor you, and we will carry your love in our hearts until we meet again.

"Mom, you taught us how to live, how to love, and how to trust God. So today we don’t say goodbye… we simply say, rest well until we meet again." 🤍

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the hands that cared for her.

Graveside service to honor Ms. Dorothy’s life will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS.

Robert Hall, Sr., Robert Hall, Jr., Chasez Hawkins, Garnel Curley, Jr., Heytan Cruz Castillo and Danny Coleman will assist as pallbearers.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .