Carol Rue Williams

Carol Rue Williams

October 16, 1947 – April 1, 2026

Carol Rue Williams, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026. Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Carol was the cherished daughter of John Rego Rue IV and Evelyn Dean Rue of Amory, Mississippi. As her family wrote, “She will be remembered for her smile, her ability to make anyone feel welcome, her generosity and her ‘carolisms’.”

Carol grew up in Amory, where her natural athleticism and spirited personality quickly became evident. A proud Amory Panther, she excelled in basketball and track and shone as a cheerleader. After high school, she briefly attended Mississippi State University, but not before embarking on an adventure that became one of her favorite stories—working in Yellowstone National Park. There, she explored fearlessly, embraced independence, and even claimed to have mastered deboning a trout tableside. As her family lovingly noted, “Although we never actually witnessed, knowing Carol’s determination and adventurous spirit, we absolutely believed her.”

In 1969, Carol married the love of her life, Jerry Dale Williams. While Jerry completed his degree at MSU, Carol entered the workforce, eventually finding her calling in banking. She thrived as a receptionist, teller, and later in the loan department, where her warmth and genuine desire to help others left a lasting impact on customers and colleagues alike. She also shared her talents generously with her community, teaching swimming, diving, and tennis lessons for many years.

Service was woven into the fabric of Carol’s life. A longtime blood and plasma donor, she believed deeply in the power of small acts of kindness. She volunteered with the Red Cross, helping pack supplies for those in need, often reminding others that “with just little effort, you could lend a helping hand and feel so good afterwards.”

Carol embraced life with joy and enthusiasm. She loved her Amory Panthers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Dallas Cowboys. She relished a good greasy hamburger and french fries. She adored her dog, Max. She treasured laughing until she cried with her best friend, Dorinda Miller. She found happiness in swimming, diving, water skiing, playing golf, and dancing—especially in the kitchen with her grandchildren. Above all, Carol fiercely loved her family.

Carol is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Jerry; her daughters and their families: Wendy Rue Williams and her husband, Rich Blumenthal, and their children, Billy and Janie, of Boston, Massachusetts; and Lindsay Carol Williams and her son, Tyce Williams-Key, of Southaven, Mississippi; and her loving and devoted brothers, John Rego Rue V of Marietta, Georgia and Steve Rue of Mechanicsville, Virgina.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 2 p.m. at EE Pickle Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 12 p.m. Burial will follow at Masonic Cemetery with pallbearers being Robert Tate, Skip Miles, Dr. Tom Monaghan, Larry “Smokey” Witcher, Billy Blumenthal, and Tyce Williams-Key. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Herndon, Gerald Pate, Dr. Jim Monroe, and Dickie Miller. Following the burial a reception will be held at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts, or food, the family asks you please consider the following alternatives, donations of food or flowers be made to a local charity or that you “break bread with a neighbor.” Contributions in Carol’s memory may also be made to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, Girls LEAP, or House of Grace. (websites available below)

Most importantly, the family invites everyone to honor Carol by performing a random act of kindness. As they wrote, “We all carry loads that no one sees. Sometimes, the smallest act of kindness makes the largest impact.”

womensalzheimersmovement.org

girlsleap.org

houseofgracedv.org

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com