Betty Williamson

Ocala’s Dessert Diva, the “Betty” in Betty Cakes, Betty Ann Williamson, 74, passed
from this life on Sunday, February 12, 2023.

A memorial service is at 4pm on Saturday, February
25, 2023, at Central Church of Christ, 4200 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL.

Betty is survived by daughter Pamela Meekins, of Ocala, FL; son Larry Williamson and wife
Annette of Moulton, Alabama; stepchildren Mary Olive Hill and husband Patrick of Ocala, FL;
Stephen M Williamson of New York, NY; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She
was preceded in death by her beloved husband, T. Colin Williamson.

She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
She knows the value of everything she makes,
and works late into the night.

Proverbs 31:17, 18

Born in Warwick, Rhode Island on February 3, 1949, to Gwendolyn May and Russell “Flash”
Gordon Williams, Betty’s first 14 years were spent growing up with her older sister Diane and
younger brother Russell in a neighborhood surrounded by uncles, aunts and cousins. Then, in
1963, Gwen packed the three kids into her ’55 Bel Air and drove to Kansas to join her new
husband, widower Judson Hollis Hayes, and his children Duane and Melanie. Betty learned her
strong work ethic from her mother, Gwen, who always worked two jobs, sometimes three.
Betty was a gifted baker and cake decorator. On weekends, she began making wedding cakes
for friends. Her cakes weren’t just beautiful, they were delicious! When the entire wedding
cake was gone at the end of the reception, people would ask, “Who made the cake?” and with
no advertising, Betty’s calendar quickly filled up with orders. Finally, in 2003, after years of
family and friends’ persistent urging, she finally agreed to open a small bakery and café in the
back of a local gift shop, Your Heart’s Desire. Betty Cakes was born! Betty and Colin devoted the
next two decades to growing the business and while Betty always made the absolute best
quality cakes, Colin aka Mr. Betty Cakes, happily provided southern hospitality and charm to the
customers. Betty Cakes was a success and quickly became Ocala’s go-to spot for a cake to
celebrate any occasion. When Betty made her first cake for her son Larry’s fourth birthday, she
never dreamed she would become Ocala’s Dessert Diva, a title given by Ocala Style Magazine in
2007. Family, friends and anyone who has had the pleasure of enjoying a Betty Cake, all thank
her for sharing her love of making delicious and beautiful cakes with everyone and making
Ocala a “sweeter” hometown.