Addie Albena (McDuffie) Williams

Addie Albena McDuffie Williams, age 103, of Otto, North Carolina went home to be with God on December 18, 2017. She was born in Holmes County, Florida on March 8, 1914.

After graduating from Leonia High School, she moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi, christening the U. S. S. Hampton (a Bayfield‑class attack transport) battleship that served with United States in World War II in 1944. Addie moved to Arizona in 1951, where she went to work for Hughes Aircraft Company in Tucson. She worked on 3 ‑ Gyro Package Actuators, TOW missile as an electrical engineer. Much of her work went to Washington, D. C. to be brought before the Congressional Committee.

She served as a pioneer for women during her employment with Hughes. A charter member, organizer of International Association of Machinists IAM, Addie was one of the first women to file a grievance, continuing to be a 50 year member.

She spent her last years in Otto, NC. She visited Franklin in 1980, after seeing a television advertisement for North Carolina. Addie and her husband fell in love with the area, bought land and had a house built in 1983.

She was a member of Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America, Tucson, Arizona, The Supreme Shrine of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Tucson, Arizona, 50 years Order of Eastern Star, Desert Star Chapter #54, Tucson, Arizona 70 years, Ladies Auxiliary Fraternal Order of Eagles, Benson, Arizona 50 years, Olana Temple No. 131 Daughters of the Nile 50 years.

Survivors include cousin, Louise Gandy, special friends, Agnes Cabe and Janice Roof and nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by husbands Ray Williams and Harry Gilmore; mother and father, Alice and Samuel McDuffie and brothers, Duel Ray, Fred, Hugh, Wilford and sisters, Gladys, Louise and Mary.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Mulberry Methodist Church in Otto, North Carolina with Rev. Sherron O. Geiger officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 ‑ 2:00 pm prior to the service at the church.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Williams family. Online condolences are available at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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