Minnie Zell Williams

March 25, 1930 - August 12, 2020

Minnie Zell Gilliland Williams 3/25/1930-8/12/2020 Heaven was made a bit more beautiful this week with the arrival of Minnie Zell Gilliland Williams on Wednesday morning, August 12, 2020, in her home at the Atlantic Shores community in Virginia Beach, VA. Her peaceful passing was the culmination of a life full of love and happiness which touched the hearts of all who knew her. Known to friends and family as Zell, she was born to Pearl and Emmet Gilliland at the home of Austin and Jennie Gilliland in Frog Jump, Tennessee, on March 25, 1930. Zell was one of a set of twin girls, Pearl and the other baby girl died during the birth. Jennie and Austin took that precious little soul in and raised her with their daughters as their own. Zell grew into a sweet, vivacious young woman; well loved by all. She was a high school athlete, playing basketball and running track. She studied music in Little Rock, AR, for several summers and became a wonderful pianist and piano teacher. Zell met and married Roy Haden Williams Jr. on July 13, 1946; a marriage that would last 74 years. They had two daughters, Lana and Cathy. Zell became a hairdresser and opened a beauty salon with her sister-in-law, Violet Williams, which they ran until they retired. In recent years, Zell and Roy lived in Waunakee, WI, and Virginia Beach, VA, to be near their daughters. Zell was a fervent Christian and praised God for all the blessings in her life and actively encouraged everyone in her influence to claim the wonderful gift of salvation. She lived the faith she shared; always ready to help and serve where there was need. She had a contagious laugh and loved to have fun. Zell is survived by her husband Roy; daughters, Lana Koontz and Cathy Pierce (Jay); grandchildren Bryan Koontz, Jason Koontz (Cara), Leanne Lacy (Jerritt), Ethan Koontz (Jennifer); and, great grandson, Haden Lacy. She leaves her sisters: Juanita Hartman, Geneva Jackson, Mary Sue Baker and Bonnie Hunt. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Helen Fincher and brother, D.L. Gilliland. Zell’s funeral service will be held on August 17, 2020 at Halls Funeral Home, Halls, TN. Visitation from 10:00am - 12:00pm and funeral service to follow with the internment at Gates Cemetery, Gates, TN. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.