Mary Chittenden Williams

Charlotte, NC- Mary Chittenden Williams, 96, wife of Isaac Kemp Williams, passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021. Born May 24, 1924 in West Haven, CT, Mary was a daughter of the late Winfred P. and Nancy Dudley Chittenden. In addition to her husband, Kemp, 98, she is survived by her daughter, Nancie Williams and her husband, Edward Burnam, Jr. of Charlotte, NC; a daughter, Tracy Williams of Inman, SC; a son, Jonathan Williams of Columbia, SC; granddaughters, Blake Burnam and Emily Williams; and grandsons, Nathan Williams and Ricky Therrell. Mary was a woman ahead of her time. While raised in the country in Guilford Connecticut, she attended college and then drove an ambulance stateside during WWII. She then went to work at Liberty Mutual in Hartford but always wanted to live in Florida. She struck out on her own to Miami where she got a job at Liberty and met Kemp. Mary and Kemp have an amazing marriage of seventy years, spanning three kids, six homes, two careers and thirty-five years of travel during retirement. During their marriage and until her eighties, Mary was an interviewer in the field, working on projects for everything from consumer products to decades long studies following people and their personal development. Mary was a kind soul that was always willing to help. Be it rescuing a stray pet or a friend or family in need, Mary connected with people and acted to help make their lives better. She was also a great lover of music. Mary’s enthusiasm for her beloved Kemp’s Oompah Band gave her many roles: handing out sheet music, driver, crowd director, and singing and dancing! Mary was an independent woman for her time, demonstrating the balance between being a supportive spouse and loving mother while also working and giving to all those that knew her. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, May 6th, 2:00PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, officiated by her friend Barbara Jordan, followed by a meal at Mary’s favorite restaurant at 3:30PM, at Mon Amie at Webber and Main St. https://www.monamiecafe.com/ In remembrance of Mrs. Williams, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals at https://www.mobile-meals.org/memorials