Karsey Rae Mitchell Williams, 49, of Houston, passed away 11/7/2018.  She was born July 3, 1969, in Indianapolis, Indiana to William B. Mitchell and Karina K. Mitchell.

Including her parents she is survived by her husband, De Edwin L. Williams; son, Kendrick D. Williams; step-children, Jasmine Woods, D.J. Woods, amd Jayda Woods; sister, Kiley K. Mitchell; and nephews, Benjamin Nickels and Wyatt Nickels.

Her dear friend since age 7, Kristen Phelps, wrote: "Heaven is brighter - our beautiful Karsey has gone home. A warrior princess - She fought a fierce battle always considering those she loved. She did not lose – she transitioned. We have not lost her, she has gone forward and is waiting – blazing the trail and will welcome us when our time comes. Until then I know she will keep watch over those of us who were lucky enough to love her. What a blessing to have had Karsey in our lives".

Karsey became our beautiful angel at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. This outstanding institution fought hand in hand with this fearless warrior princess for almost seven years. Her family cannot thank these fine doctors and nurses enough for their intellect and effort they made to cure Karsey of Leukemia.

Karsey's good friend from Cazenovia, NY, Janet Munro, established the KARSEYSTRONG Facebook private group in February 2012. This group grew to over 350 friends and family that kept in continuous contact with her over the years she battled this dreadful disease. Karina, her mother, published a daily report to all of her friends on the status of Karsey's journey. The KARSEYSTRONG Banner stated:

"No matter how bad you feel,

Get up, dress up, show up,

and never give up."

Karsey lived by those words throughout her life.

Her last words to her Dad, when all options had failed, were: "Dad, what can we do now?"

Her last words to the MDA medical team were: " I know my situation is very difficult, but, I want to explore all options; I need to walk out of here. I have a Son to raise."

Karsey's had many family and friends throughout the United States and Canada from the many cities and towns where she lived during her life.

Our Warrior Princess was born in Indianapolis, Indiana of parents of Swedish, Finnish and Scottish ancestry. She passed away in Houston, Texas as a loving wife of De Edwin Williams and mother and stepmother to four beautiful children.

Her friendship with Traci Arganbright, her dear friend since she was 4 years old, began in Indianapolis. She was with Traci a few days before her passing.

Her family moved to St Charles, Illinois when she was 7 and developed many friendships there and at The Elgin Academy that lasted a lifetime.

Her family moved to Cazenovia, New York at the beginning of her freshman year in high school where she developed many friendships that have lasted to this day.

After graduation from Pittsford Sutherland in Rochester, New York, she enrolled at West Virginia University where she spent four great years. She has many dear friends from WVU for over 30 years, including roommates Karin DelBuono and Candis Roby, all of whom regularly communicated with her until her passing.

After a couple of years in Charleston, SC and Charlotte NC she moved to Cincinnati, OH and started her career with Steinmart, a major fashion retailer. As Jill Cox, her original mentor, said recently: "she was special and awesome when I hired her over 25 years ago, as she is now." She was general manager of five different Steinmart stores in Cincinnati and Houston; and, was a role model and mentor to hundreds of Steinmart managers and employees during her career.

Soon after her parents and sister moved to Houston in 1996, she began making plans to be near them. She eventually came to Houston and continued her career with Steinmart.

In 2006 she married De Edwin Williams and became a loving stepmother to Jasmine, Jayda and D.J. Her son, Kendrick, was born in 2007. She viewed Kendrick's birth as the most important accomplishment of her life.

In February 2012 she was diagnosed with Leukemia and mounted an unbelievable six year and nine month battle that ended November 7, 2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.