
Mrs. Jewell Haddock Burford Williams, 87, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.
Born in Kings Ferry, she was the youngest and last living of four children born to the late Francis Fleming Haddock and Virginia Viola Haddock. After graduating from Hilliard High School, she worked as a telephone operator with Southern Bell in Fernandina Beach. She married Carl “Bull” Burford Jr. and began a 61-year career as a homemaker, wife, mother and Grandma. She and Mr. Burford had two sons, Gerald and Dale, who each have fond memories of their childhood in Fernandina Beach and family camping trips to Ocean Pond near Olustee, Fla. Her husband passed away in 1981. In 1983, she married Lawrence “Larry” E. Williams Jr., and the two blended their families together, giving her more family members to shower her affection and love upon. Mrs. Williams and her husband were longtime members of First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, where she was a member of the Hendricks-Ashburn Sunday School Class.
Her family recalls her love of traveling and her church, but most of all, her love for her family.
In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Juanita Campbell, Aline Kittrell and Ira Haddock.
Mrs. Williams leaves behind her husband of 33 years, Larry Williams; children, Gerald Burford, M.D. (Debbie), Dale Burford (Elaine), Larry Williams III ( Mindy), Robert E. Williams and Nancy Douglas (Mark), all of Fernandina Beach. Her grandchildren are Jamie Sandifer, Carla Smith (James), Kyle Burford, Monica Mott (Wyley), Katie Burford, Rhett Burford (Kayla), Cody Cosper (Treska), Mckenna Williams, Matthew Williams, Zachary Williams (Nicki) and Robert Douglas. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren, a niece and three nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, with the Rev. Jeff Whitaker and the Rev. Frank Camarotti officiating. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Her family will receive friends on Sunday at the church from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.
Mrs. Williams will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery at a later date.
Floral tributes are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made in her memory to First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, 1600 S. Eighth St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; or to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors