Jennette Williams

Our sweet mother, Jennette Johnson Williams, passed from this earthly life on January 1, 2025. She graced our lives for over 87 years and left a legacy of love to all who knew her. Her children RayNette Atkinson, Mecheal Jack, Curtis Williams (by phone), grandson Casey Williams, and sons-in-law Dave and LeGrand were by her side when she passed. Although we did not want to let her go, her mortal body simply could no longer sustain her life. It was evident that she was greeted by loved ones as she left with her eyes alert and a smile on her face. We are sure our father, Ray Lee Williams, our brother Randall J. Williams, her parents, her brother and many families and friends that she had missed for so long were there to greet her. What a happy reunion for her!

Jennette was born on August 9, 1937, to Ezekiel Jr. Johnson and Margaret Caldwell Johnson in Blanding, Utah. Later, her family moved to the Charlie Redd Ranch in Old La Sal, Utah. She attended high school in Moab, where she met Ray Lee Williams. When a carnival came to Moab, Ray arranged for the Ferris wheel operator to let him, and Jennette reach the top of the ride and then to stop the Ferris wheel. Ray proposed to Jennette and rocked the Ferris wheelchair back and forth until Jennette said yes...it didn’t take much coaxing. Ray and Jennette were married on September 4, 1953, in Moab, Utah. Ray was 18 years old, and Jennette was 16 years old. Once the newlyweds reached their honeymoon spot in Grand Junction, Colorado, they realized, much to their chagrin, they had forgotten to bring their luggage.

Ray and Jennette were blessed with four children: RayNette (a combination of the names Ray and Jennette) Mecheal, Randal J., and Curtis Ray.

Uranium was booming in the early 1950’s around Moab, Utah. Ray prospected for uranium at the beginning of their marriage. Jennette accompanied him on these adventures. She often related that during this period of time she saw the most beautiful scenery and wildlife imaginable. She treasured these memories.

Ray and Jennette purchased property and built a home in Moab. In 1959, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1961, they moved to Oljato, Utah in Monument Valley, where they and a partner formed a uranium mining company. In 1962, the partnership dissolved, and Ray and Jennette moved to Sanostee, New Mexico and formed Ray Williams Mining Company. Her mother always called Sanostee "So Nasty." Ray and Jennette leased the Enos Johnson mine from the Navajo Tribe. This mine was located nine miles from Sanostee in the Lukachukai mountain range. They worked hard to make their business a success. Ray worked the mine and maintained the equipment. Jennette paid the bills, did payroll, filed all of the state and federal reports associated with the business and took care of their family. Having a family-owned business provided a great opportunity to teach their children the value of work.

The price of uranium was volatile. When the price became too low for the mine to operate at a profit, Ray went to work at the Rio Algom mine located near La Sal, Utah. One of the requirements to maintain the lease from the Navajo Tribe was the family had to live in Sanostee. During this time, Jennette kept the home fires burning, raising their children on her own. Ray moved back to Sanostee in March 1976 and reopened the mine. In 1983, Ray and Jennette retired from mining and moved to Farmington, New Mexico. Farmington has been home ever since. 

During the years Ray worked at Rio Algom, he also staked mineral claims. Every possible weekend, holiday and even entire summers, Jennette would load up the car with all four kids and all of the family pets to spend time with Ray. Some of these visits meant camping in remote areas of Utah or staying in a bunk house which was barely habitable. With no running water and limited facilities, Jennette cooked on a campfire, hauled water out of 55-gallon barrels, and heated water to wash dishes. She would say that even though living this way was not convenient, it was one of the happiest times of her and her family's lives. During this time, Ray’s nephew, Sterling, came from California to help with staking mineral claims. He also comments that these were life-changing events in his life.

After moving to Farmington, Jennette decided that she wanted to get an education. She enrolled in San Juan College and earned an associate’s degree in accounting. She quickly put her degree to work by securing a position doing the patient billing for Dr. Wilson, a pathologist. In time, the practice was sold to Dr. Armell and Jennette continued employment with the new pathologist. She was very proud that she was able to work outside of the home and family business to earn what she deemed to be her money. 

In 1993, Ray and Jennette became caretakers of their grandson, Casey Ray Williams who was three years old. They raised him as their own. Jennette volunteered at Kimber Academy Charter School where Casey attended. Through the years, the roles reversed, and Casey became the caretaker for Jennette. She loved him and treated him as a son.

Jennette had many talents and interests. She was an excellent seamstress. She was an avid gardener and loved to work in her yard. She was a voracious reader and kept on top of current affairs. Jennette was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life and served others in ways she could. Most importantly, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her family was her top priority. She will be greatly missed. 

Jennette is survived by three of her children RayNette Atkinson (Dave), Mecheal Jack (LeGrand), Curtis Ray, six grandchildren Rindi Ray Thompson, Stacy Smither, Brett Atkinson, Hollie Havard, Nakita Jack, and Casey Ray Williams, eighteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and her beloved fur baby, Daisy. Jennette was preceded in death by her husband Ray, son Randal J., parents Ezekiel and Margaret Johnson, and brother, Roy.

Jennette was very passionate about supporting Veterans, since both her brothers served in the military. In lieu of flowers, please support a Veterans’ organization of your choice.