Frances Dianne Babb was born in 1856 in Tennessee the daughter of Henry Babb and Sarah A. E. (Avery) Babb. Frances Dianne married John Pascal Williams on August 9, 1873. She gave birth to Robert Sylvester Williams January 29, 1875 in Alamo, Crockett County Tennessee. Following Robert came twin girls Lillie and Rosalee born in Tennessee. Two more children were born in Arkansas, Newton and Marvin.

Frances Dianne was descended from the families of Babb, Avery, and Etheridge all early settlers of Tennessee. Her relative Waightsill Avery was a member of the bar in North Carolina, and practiced law in the Western District which later became the State of Tennessee. Waightsill was once challenged to a duel by Andrew Jackson. That affair ended without bloodshed. The Etheridge family name was used as the middle name for her son Marvin, and the middle name of her grandson Hubert E. Williams of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. An Etheridge relative of Frances Dianne served as a U. S. Senator from Tennessee in the 19th century.

Frances Dianne became a widow in 1886 when she was 30 years old. She died in 1893 at the age of 37. Her oldest son Robert Sylvester was 18 years old when his mother died. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Sheperd Cemetery in Yell County Arkansas. A fine view of Mt. Nebo can be seen from their grave site. In the 1920's Robert S. Williams, assisted by his sons Hubert and Vernon, made grave stones for his parents from red sandstone. The names were still discernible in 1979 although badly weathered.

Family Index                      Published 1994