Dannah Iola Taft

Dannah Iola Taft, born on January 11, 1958, in Houston, Texas, graced this world with her warmth for nearly seven decades before embarking on her next journey, leaving us on January 27, 2025, in the comfort of her home in Votaw, Texas. A devoted food service manager for Humble ISD and a cherished member of the culinary team at the local hospital, she spent her days nourishing not only the bodies, but also the souls of those around her. Her career was a testament to her dedication, reflecting a life spent care and service to others.

Dannah's profound love for her family painted the very fabric of her existence. She was a fierce supporter, always there for her brothers in times of need. Her bravery knew no bounds, often extending hands to support, uplift, and lend her spirit to those she loved without limits. It was in these moments that her strength shone the brightest, often illustrated in the caring embrace of a wife, a mother, and a daughter.

Peppered throughout her life were the idyllic joys that country living brought her; a tranquility that allowed her to enjoy the simple pleasures. A great lover of animals, she shared her home with cats and dogs, drawing comfort from their unyielding loyalty and all-encompassing love. The cherished company of her favorite feline companion, Midgetface, affectionately called PuddyTat, filled her days with laughter and companionship, weaving joy into her everyday life.

An artist in her own right, Dannah expressed herself through the written word, chronicling her life in daily journals that celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and significant milestones—the threads that interlaced the tapestry of her existence. She adored the color purple, a vibrant hue reflective of her spirited personality, which shone brightly in her dealings with friends and family alike.

She is preceded in death by her parents; Luther and Lillian Williams; and brothers, Alec Edmond Williams, Bern Lee Williams and Hubert Doyle Williams.

Alongside her loving husband, Frank Taft, she found joy in the laughter of her sons, Dennis Everett Dowthitt and Stacey Dowthitt, and embraced her role as a stepmother to Jeremy Wilson Taft and his wife Krista, as well as Jessica Taft, who she thought of as her own daughter; brothers, Martin Alton Williams and wife Linda, Robert Wayne Williams, James Wesley Williams and wife Lisa, Oather Luther Williams, and Lamon Edward Williams; sister Dorothy Pauline O’Neill and husband Mike; and numerous nieces and nephews. Fostering connections that deepened their familial bonds. Her legacy continues to be a guiding light for them, each carrying fragments of her warmth and compassion in their hearts.

Dannah now rests alongside her beloved father, Luther Williams, and her mother, Lillian Tullos Williams, having lived a life that was wholly dedicated to loving, supporting, and uplifting those around her until the very end. She departed from this life faithful to God's calling, leaving behind a legacy of boundless love and a memory that will echo through the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Honoring Dannah as pallbearers are Luke Williams, JW Williams, Stacey Dowthitt, Dennis Dowthitt, Frank Taft, Jessica Taft, Todd Formanek, and Lamon Williams.

A visitation will be held at the Thicket Church of God in Thicket, Texas, on February 4, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at the same location from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM officiated by Pastor Mark Ainsworth. In a final farewell, she will be laid to rest at Holly Grove Cemetery in Livingston, Texas, at 3:00 PM. The life of Dannah Iola Taft was a beautiful melody of love, resilience, and unwavering support, a song that will linger lovingly in the hearts of those who carry her memory forward.