Mary Helen Williams-Primm

Mary Helen Williams Primm was born on June 13, 1924, in Malvern, Arkansas as the second child of three daughters to Cato and Sarah Carson Williams. She traded time for eternity on Friday, September 30, 2011 at her daughters home in Malvern surrounded by her family. Mary Helen was blessed with God fearing parents who, by example, taught Christian values, integrity and ingenuity creating a solid family environment. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Mary Helen gave her life to Christ at a young age and united with Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Malvern, Arkansas. She was a life-long member of Bethel AME Church and during the course of her membership she was a member of the Spirit of Bethel, the gospel choir and the quilting ministry. Mary Helen was active in her community as well. She was a member of the Senior Adult Center and the Economic Home Corp. She worked as a presser at Pates Cleaners and as an AVON agent for several years. She was a graduate of the Malvern Colored School where she excelled as a student. Mary Helen grew up to possess a beautiful spirit and blossomed into an intelligent young woman. She became Mrs. Mary H. Primm in 1944, when she married her knight in shining armor J. D. Primm. They later became proud parents of five children. Together they made many sacrifices to raise their children based on love, commitment, and Christian values. She lived life to the fullest and understood the significance of not only maintaining her personal appearance, but her inward appearance as well. She modeled the bible versus 1 Samuel 16:7 “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Those she touched and those who knew her witnessed her untiring love for God. She was a believer in “treating others, as you would have them to treat you”. Mary Helen possessed an infectious smile that would chase the chill from any room. Even in her golden years she never lost her wit, her charm, nor her sense of humor. There was never a dull moment when she was around. She loved to vacation and take cruises, but her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. After wonderful years of sharing life with J. D., her devoted husband was called to glory to be with the Lord. She was preceded in transition by her parents, a son and one sister, Ruth Williams. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She will forever be remembered by her children, Mary Butler, John (Charlotte) Primm, Jennifer Primm and Bryan Primm all of Malvern, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, James (Michelle) Gatlin of Malvern, AR, Jeffery (Diana) Gatlin of Stockton, CA, Kim Wills of Malvern, AR, Tamera Moulden of Little Rock, AR, Chad McNeely of Malvern, AR, Eric (Felicia) McNeely of Malvern, AR, Whitley Hale of Malvern, AR, Carmen Primm of Conway, AR, and Bernako Primm of Atlanta, GA; twenty-two great-grandchildren, sixteen great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Manerva Jones of Little Rock, AR. She also leaves a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and her beloved Bethel AME Church family. Many lives have been made brighter and more enriched because of Mary Helen Williams Primm. Her legacy of life, love and be happy will live on in the hearts of all. Mrs. Primm will lie in repose and the family will receive friends at Bethel AME Church, 1220 Carmichael Street, Malvern, Arkansas on Thursday, October 6th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Primm family has invited friends and extended family members to celebrate with them the home-going of Mrs. Williams at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 7th in the sanctuary of Bethel AME Church where Rev. Richard L. Sutton is the pastor and will preach the eulogy. Mrs. Primm will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Masonic Cemetery in Malvern, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Eric McNeely, Minister Jeffery Gatlin, Nathan Gatlin, James Gatlin, Cameron Butler and Eli McNeely.