Bonnis Virginia (Cole) Williford

Bonnis Virginia Cole Williford, longtime resident of the Somerville Community, and wife of the late Robert Woodrow "Woody" Williford departed this life Thursday afternoon, October 3, 2013 at the Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama while visiting her son and family. She was 86 years of age and died following a brief illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Williford were conducted at 3 P.M. Monday, October 7th at the Somerville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Stan McDaniel, pastor of the church, officiating. Personal remarks and reflections were given by her daughter-in-law. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center – Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mrs. Williford was born May 30, 1927 in Burdette, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert Jackson Cole and Callie Jowers Cole. She received her education in the Mississippi County, Arkansas Public School System and was a graduate of the Memphis Business College. She was married November 2, 1947 to Robert Woodrow "Woody" Williford, a World War II Navy Veteran, who preceded her in death on August 3, 2011.

Mr. and Mrs. Williford owned and operated the Williford Ford Tractor Company in Somerville for a number of years and were active members of the community as long as health permitted. She was a longtime member of the Somerville First United Methodist Church and will be remembered as an accomplished seamstress who specialized in the making of custom draperies in the Fayette County area.

An avid bridge player and member of numerous local bridge groups, Mrs. Williford’s interests also included traveling, gardening and caring for her home. She possessed a deep love and affection for her family and taught all who knew her the true meaning of love, gratitude, patience and longsuffering.

Mrs. Williford is survived by two sons, Ken Williford (Lynn) of Lititz, PA, Lane Williford (Tricia) of Dothan, AL; her sister, Millie Cole of Jonesboro, AR; eight grandchildren, William Dylan Smith, Jacob Woody Smith, Robert Tipton Williford, Jr., Christopher Brian Williford, Joshua Preston Williford, Garret Tipton Williford, Nicholas Cole Williford, Matthew Brown Williford; five great grandchildren, William Donovan Smith, Elayne Grace Smith, Woodrow Everett Smith, Taylor Rose Williford, Reagan Jane Williford; her daughter-in-law, June Williford of Houston, TX; and her son-in-law, Jerry Diffee of Middleton.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Williford was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Williford Diffee and her son, Robert Tipton Williford.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were William Dylan Smith, Jacob Woody Smith, Robert Tipton Williford, Jr., Christopher Brian Williford, Nicholas Cole Williford and Matthew Brown Williford.

Honorary casketbearers included Joshua Preston Williford and Garret Tipton Williford.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Somerville First United Methodist Church, 202 S. East Street, Somerville, TN 38068.