Farene Odom Williams
July 4, 1925 – Nov 11, 2019
Farene Odom Williams, 94, a lifelong Gruver resident, passed away peacefully
Monday, Nov, 11,2019, at the Hansford Manor in Spearman. Memorial services will
be Saturday, Nov 16, 2019, 2:00 P.M. at Gruver Church of Christ, with Ron
Eggleston, Minister, officiating. Family interment will be held prior at the Gruver
Cemetary. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home
in Spearman, TX.
Farene Odom was born July 4, 1925, near Whitesboro in Grayson County, Texas to
Roy and Charmian Ayres Odom. The family moved to Gruver when she was 3 years
old. Farene graduated from Gruver High School in 1942 and Holmes Business
School in Amarillo in 1943. During the war, she worked at Pantex in Amarillo.
Later, she was employed by Santa Fe Railroad, Rock Island Depot, and Westerfields
Grocery and Dry Goods where she met L.A. Williams who had recently been
discharged from the United States Navy. On August 23, 1946, the couple married in
Borger, Texas. They began a farming career and remained a successful and happy
team for more than 61 years.
Known as a good friend and neighbor, Farene loved her life in Hansford County and
the people who lived there. She was blessed with many lasting friendships. With a
variety of interests and talents, she was always busy. An exceptional cook, Farene
shared her time perfected recipes with family and friends. She served at the local
voting polls during each election. Farene was honored to be crowned the GHS
Alumni Queen in 2012. She enjoyed music of all kinds, especially gospel, and was a
faithful and long standing member of the Gruver Church of Christ since 1938.
Farene always made time to have fun and for several years bowled on a weekly
ladies league. She also was a Dallas Cowboy fan and never missed watching a game.
Clearly her first love and priority was family and she was a devoted wife,
homemaker, mother, and grandmother. Farene happily resided in the Hansford
Manor in Spearman for six years and was crowned Hansford Manor queen in 2017.
Farene is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a stepfather, Carl Lyle, and
her brother George Paul Odom. She is survived and forever adored by her three
children: Morris Williams (Susan) of Payson, Arizona; Brenda Williams Henderson
(Alva) of Allen, Texas; and Neal Williams (Julie) of Gruver. She was Grandma
Williams to six grandchildren: Lisa Williams, Joseph Williams, Salee H. Gurley
(David), Dr. Samuel Henderson, Benjamin Williams, and Emily Landon (Mark); and 8
great grandchildren. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, and
cousins. Mrs. Williams is also survived by her friend and sister-in-law Margaret
Odom of Gruver and one step sister, Evelyn Mae Cline of Surprise, AZ.
In lieu of floral gifts please consider directing any memorials to the Gruver
Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 947, Gruver, Texas 79040; or the Gruver Church of
Christ, 209 King Ave, Gruver, Texas 79040.
The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Hansford Manor and Dr. Mark
Garnett for their kindness and competent care. A special thank you to Ronnie and
Donna Williams for their faithfulness and devotion. We would also like to thank
the Gruver Church of Christ for pastoral care.