Mary Jeanine Brannon Williams

Mary Jeanine Brannon Williams, passed away peacefully at Sacred Heart Hospital, Miramar Beach, FL, on November 10, 2019, following a brief illness.  Jeanine was born on March 6, 1943, in Dothan, Alabama.  Her family moved to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1947.  She graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1961, where she was a member of the Beta Club, Tri-Hi-Y, Glee Club, Flag Twirlers, Dramatics Club, Smoke Signals (editor), and Tom-Tom.  She attended Pensacola Junior College, Howard College (Samford University), and graduated from Troy State University.

A dedicated Air Force Civil Service employee in the civilian personnel field, Jeanine began her career at Eglin Air Force Base as a clerk typist, before becoming a personnel staffing specialist.  She later became Chief of Staffing and Chief of Classification.  In 1989 she began working at HQ USAFE Personnel office at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.  While there she helped stand up the International Services Personnel Office, charged with helping base closures due to the drawdown after the Cold War.  She became the Chief of the International Services Personnel Office, providing much needed personnel support to the numerous bases that were closing as well as support to personnel at embassies in the Middle East. She retired in 1995.

For 56 years Jeanine was the beloved wife of James Randall Williams (Randy).  She and Randy lived in the Fort Walton Beach area for many years.  Jeanine was involved in Beta Sigma Phi, AAUW, and both she and Randy were Choctaw band parents.  In 1989 they embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, by moving to Ramstein, Germany.  They spent the next eight years traveling throughout Europe with friends, enjoying the landscape, history, culture, and cuisine of many countries. 

In 1997, she and Randy moved to Melbourne, Florida.  While Randy worked at Patrick Air Force Base, Jeanine spent her time reconnecting with her Aunt Olga (Olga Brannon) and Uncle Joe (Joe Brannon).  She cherished her time with them learning to cook Greek cuisine from her Aunt Olga’s native country and sharing with them “Kurtisms”, various sayings by her grandson Kurt.

In 2005, Randy retired and they moved back to the area and built their retirement home in Blue Mountain Beach, around the corner from her brother Joe.

Jeanine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  Her generous spirit, gracious manner and compassionate care for others will be greatly missed.

Jeanine was preceded in death by her father Lockhart Brannon and mother Nina Joe Brannon.  She is survived by her husband James Randall Williams; daughter Nancy Schmitkons (Karl), Fayettevillle, NC; grandson Kurt Schmitkons, Fayetteville, NC; brother Joseph Robert Brannon, Blue Mountain Beach, FL; brother-in-law Harvey Williams (Linda), Fort Walton Beach, FL; brother-in-law Herschel Williams (Janeane), Laurel Hill, FL; sister-in-law Linda Jones, Pensacola, FL;  sister-in-law Katherine Reese (Bill) Fort Walton Beach, FL; nephew Patrick Brannon (Deborah), Fort Walton Beach, FL; niece Katherine Masciola (Phillip), Tucson, AZ; niece Jan Kirby (Chris), Jacksonville FL; niece Karen Williams (Danny) Bradenton, FL; nephew Danny Williams (Angie), Fort Walton Beach, FL; nephew Damon Williams, Washington D.C.; niece Zaria Williams (Brittany), Pensacola, FL; niece Lalainya Steele (Steve), Milton, GA; nephew Kris Connerley, Pensacola, FL; nephew Domnic Snyder, Andalusia, AL; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, November 25, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Rd, Fort Walton Beach, FL, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Jeanine’s memory are suggested to the Arthritis National Research Foundation or the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as Emerald Coast Hospice for their amazing and compassionate care of Jeanine in her last days.