Murline Childress Williams

Murline Childress Williams, 100, of Morganton, died peacefully at College Pines Thursday, December 2, 2021 following a period of declining health.  She was born February 3, 1921 in Burke County, North Carolina to Midas Coleman Childress and Ethyl Mary Cline Childress.  She graduated from Valdese High School in 1938.  In addition to her husband Johnston Williams, her parents, and brother “Sonny”, Murline was preceeded in death by her brothers-in-law Maxwell Booth, Troyal Williams, and Manley Williams and sisters-in-law Mary Booth, Wilma Williams, Henrietta Pharr Williams, Henrietta Pons Williams, her nephew Jimmy Williams, her niece Katharine Booth Bartholomew and many other relatives and friends.

Murline was a loyal and long-time member of her beloved North Morganton United Methodist church.  She especially enjoyed the Children and Adult Choirs.

 Murline is survived by her son, Johnny Williams of the home, nieces Martha Franklin (Ron) of Morganton, Mildred Guthrie of Three Mile, NC, and Janet Smith of Asheville, nephew Gene Williams of Morganton, grand nephews – Adam Smith of Burlington, NC, Stephen Smith of Charlotte, NC, Bobby Bartholomew (Keri) of Wilmington, NC, Buzz Bartholomew (Dawson) of Winston-Salem, Jeff Ripley (Susan) of Columbia, MO, Jon Ripley of Morganton, Hank Williams (Tammy) of Three Mile, NC, Mark Williams of Three Mile, NC, Tommy Guthrie (Meg) of Wilmington, NC, John Guthrie of Charleston, SC, Chris Guthrie (Darcy) of Charleston, SC, - grand nieces – Kathy Eury (Ronnie) of Matthews, NC, and Jennifer Hathaway of Three Mile, NC.

She enjoyed an active and productive life.  During World War II, she worked as a welder in the Wilmington, N.C shipyard and would often recall those days with great detail and enthusiasm. Her professional love was her 42 year employment at Shadowline Incorporated.  She served as quality control supervisor and was extremely proud of the beautiful, fine quality lingerie they produced.  In her spare time, she loved reading, studying financial matters and the stock market, walking, and drive-in movies with her family. She cherished her time with great grand nieces Gracey and Anna Lynn Ripley as they grew up here in Morganton.

She worked diligently for several years as a guardian ad Litem for children in Burke County. Murline was extremely concerned for the welfare of the local children and continued to support children's programs in the county after her retirement.

Murline was “spunky”, intelligent, and full of wry good humor with a kind and giving spirit.  Her beautiful smile could melt your heart and easily assist you in seeing things “her way”!

The family would like to thank all the staff members of College Pines for their dedicated and compassionate care of Murline during her years there, especially during the trying time of the Corona virus.  Murline loved you and appreciated your patience and loving kindness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2021 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with Rev. Burt Williams officiating.  Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Ministry at North Morganton United Methodist Church, 990 Sanford Drive, Morganton, NC 28655. 

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.