Paula "Pat" Williams

Paula Patricia ("Pat") Owen Williams, age 89, of Wallace, NC passed away peacefully on August 11th, 2026, surrounded by the comfort of her loved ones. She was born on February 24th, 1937, in Wallace to John Paul and Fannie Jane Johnson Owen.

A lifelong citizen of Duplin County, Pat graduated from Wallace High School in 1955. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the Women's College of the University of North Carolina (later renamed to UNC Greensboro) in 1959, Pat was married to Snyder Franklin Williams on August 30th, 1959. She then became a teacher of Home Economics at James Kenan High School in Warsaw, NC and welcomed her son, Franklin Owen ("Little Frank") Williams, in 1961. Pat later went on to own and operate a small ceramics shop at her home. Throughout her life, Pat was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and member of the Oak Plain Presbyterian Church community.

Pat was the quintessential southern homemaker. In her free time, she enjoyed creating art of various mediums, including painting, sewing, knitting/crocheting, and ceramics. Her famous sourdough bread and pickle trays were a highlight of every potluck and family reunion. Weather and wildlife permitting, she maintained a bountiful vegetable garden and blooming landscape. A lover of all animals, she was an avid birdwatcher and never let a stray animal go hungry. Pat appreciated hard work and supported her farming community by frequently bringing lemonade and lunch to her husband, her son, and their farm crew. She was also involved in the broader community; as a breast cancer survivor herself, she participated in a knitting program for breast cancer patients and was engaged in various volunteer and donation programs through her church.

As family and heritage was important to her, Pat dedicated much of her life to maintaining relationships with her cousins and extended family. She was a doting grandmother and caregiver for her granddaughters, encouraging early education and teaching them traditional life skills like garment sewing, cooking, and gardening.

Pat leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 67 years, Franklin; her son, Franklin (Jo Ann); two granddaughters, Laura Jane Ferguson (Tyler) and Mary Beth Sowers (Tyler); and two great-grandchildren, Henry Dallas Sowers and Virginia Graham Ferguson.

A funeral service will be held at Oak Plain Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, at 11:00 AM with a graveside service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Pat's honor to Oak Plain Presbyterian Church at 438 Hall Pond Rd., Rose Hill, NC 28458 and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Pat will remain forever in our hearts.