Cora Deaton Ely Williams was born November 4, 1919, in Doxey, Oklahoma, to Henry and Mary Abney Ely and died peacefully on December 3, 2020 at the home of her daughter in Duncan, Oklahoma while under Hospice care. Deaton was 101 years old. She witnessed a century of changes around her, from a time of no autos to the modern technologies of today.
Deaton graduated from Cheyenne High School and then attended Southwestern State Teachers College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, graduating in 1943. She married Tom Williams on September 6, 1942. Residing on a farm northwest of Sayre, they were strong and loving parents to seven children and were faithful members of Lone Oak Baptist Church. Deaton and Tom moved to the Merritt area in 1967, where many admired their bountiful garden as they traveled along I-40. And many enjoyed the rewards of her labor from the hundreds of canned quart jars that passed through her kitchen every summer. They joined the Prairie View Baptist Church where Deaton watched over numerous children in the nursery for twenty five years, and she was a very active member of the Adult I Women’s Sunday School class.
Besides her love for her family and her church, Deaton taught school in various schools in Southwestern Oklahoma and ended her teaching career of twenty five years in the Kelton, TX, School District. She was an avid quilter, making quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. Upon retirement, Deaton and Tom joined the Sayre Bowling League. She was always quite proud of her bowling scores. Deaton took painting classes and continued to enjoy painting when she joined her older sister, Frankie Tidwell, at her new home at Elkwood Assisted Living in Elk City, at the age of 97. She was a strong, determined woman, continuing to walk the halls of Elkwood until she fractured her hip for the second time in April of 2020.
Deaton is survived by her seven children: Helen Jane & Alan Mitchell of Duncan, Oklahoma; Ely & Flo Williams of Shawnee, Oklahoma; J.C. & Debbie Williams of Canyon, Texas; Donald & Janet Williams of Offerlee, Kansas; Deborah Caraway of Richardson, Texas; Johnny & Carrie Williams of Pampa, Texas; Randy (Banny) & Cindy Williams of Guymon, Oklahoma. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Stephanie & Richard Jenkins of Lawton, Oklahoma; Matt & Lori Mitchell of Duncan, Oklahoma; Randall & Deanna Williams of Seymore, Texas; Shana Williams & Ricky Aaron of Midwest City, Oklahoma; Chris Williams of Boston, Massachusetts; Shannon & Tyson Lenerose of Canyon, Texas; Jonathan & Tanna Williams of Amarillo, Texas; Jacob Williams of Amarillo, Texas; Curtis & Kimberlee Williams of Offerlee, Kansas; Sarah Williams of Dodge City, Kansas; Kristina Hager & Jean Krejca of Austin, Texas Mike Caraway of Richardson, Texas; Jason & Erin Williams of Mustang, Oklahoma; Jessica & Dusty Browder of Amarillo, Texas; Joseph & Kelsey Johnson of Pampa, Texas; Mike & Amy Williams of Okeene, Oklahoma; and Julie & Cory Hicks of Guymon, Oklahoma.
In addition, Deaton is survived by thirty great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Jaxon & Layla Mitchell; Henry & Cora Jenkins; Lyle & Linda Williams; Alexis Williams; Aubrey & Landon Lenerose; Caleb, Berklee & Matthew Williams; Nicholas, Natalie, Haylee & Emmalee Williams; Jay Thomas Krejca; Emma, Jaydon & Jamison Williams; Brookelyn Browder; James Wayne, John Michael, & Harley Lynn Johnson; Lincoln & Andrew Williams; Hank, Rhett & Nash Hicks; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Deaton was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Tom Williams; sisters Jane Ely Schmidt & Frankie Tidwell; brothers H.C. Ely & Leonard Ely; and one daughter-in-law Linda Williams.
A celebration of Deaton’s life will be held at Martin-Dugger Funeral Home Chapel in Elk City on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., Interment will follow at the Lone Oak Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home. The family sincerely appreciates your thoughts and prayers.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Boys Ranch Town, in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73644.
Online condolences maybe sent to the family using our online guestbook at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to invite those who cannot attend to watch the service live on Martin-Dugger Funeral Home Facebook page.