Ortez Markee Williams

May 12, 2020

With deepest sympathy we remember Mr. Ortez Markee Williams... Mr. Ortez Markee Williams (Tez) was born July 3, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, to Charles Edward and Luler Lawson Williams.  He departed this life on May 12, 2020 at his home. At a young age Ortez accepted Christ and united with Calvary Baptist Church.  He later attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and continued until his death. Ortez attended Okolona High School where he played basketball and developed a passion for playing the saxophone.  Upon his graduation in 1984, he was awarded a band scholarship from Itawamba Community College where he continued his studies. Ortez had a heart of gold, a strong love for friends and family, and a knack for spreading laughter.  He served as lifeguard for the City of Okolona, which he loved, for several years.  He was also employed by Furniture Market Showroom of Tupelo until his health began to fail. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Elbert Jack Lawson, Levada Moore Lawson, and Herman Williams, Sr.; uncles Harvey Lawson, Sr., Samuel Lawson, Sr., Elbert Lawson, Jr., Lee Andrew Williams, and Curlee Williams; aunts Verna Lawson, Alice Lawson, and Gloria Lawson; niece Andrea Faith Terrell, and great-niece Journee A'laya Terrell. He leaves his cherished memories to his paternal grandmother, Annie Lee Williams of Las Vegas, NV; his parents, one sister, Catina (Michael) Terrell, one brother, Dredrick (Kayla) Clark, eleven nieces and nephews, two special nieces, Patience and Mya Terrell, all of Tupelo, MS; five uncles Odie Lawson of Senoia, GA, Johnny Lawson, Herman (Sarah) Williams, Jr. both of Okolona, MS; Jerry Williams of Gary, Indiana, Ricky (Denise) Williams of Las Vegas, NV; one aunt Ola Mae Gunn of Okolona, MS; three great-aunts Mamie Clifton of Gary, IN, Minnie Blackamoore of New York, NY, and Lessie Moore of Kalamazoo, MI. Remembering him with love are a host of cousins and friends. Graveside Service: Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 2pm at Verona Cemetery. Walk Thru Visitation: Friday, May 22, 2020 from 4-6 pm at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.nljonesandsons.com or on Facebook at N.L. Jones Funeral Directors. "A Pillar of Strength in Time of Need."