Where Are They Now?

W hen Dublin graduate Crystal Williams encounters a challenging situation, she does her best to not let herself dwell on it. This mindset has helped her out throughout her life, from her years spent working hard to provide for her sons as a single mother to her recent breast cancer diagnosis. “It is what it is, and you’ve just gotta keep going,” she said. “There’s not much you can do about it, except try to keep a good attitude.”

Williams graduated from Dublin in 2005, and the next year she had her first son, Christopher. For the next few years she raised him as a single mom, working full time at a series of different jobs.

Her first job was working at a convenience store, where she scheduled her hours so that her parents could take care of her son while she was at work. After five months there she began looking for a new job, and found a position as a kitchen aid at Back Roads Grill. While working there she learned some cooking skills, and soon was cooking breakfast and lunch at Back Roads.

From there, she switched to working at the meat market in town, then to a local cleaning service. “I enjoyed cleaning, I was always cleaning apartments and shampooing carpets,” she said. “I was on my own and got to go at my own little pace.”

She worked there for two years until business started to slow down. Next she worked as a cook at Golden Age Manor in Dublin, and then found a job working nights cleaning at Tarleton in 2020. Williams was only at Tarleton for a month, however, before she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Undergoing treatment during the pandemic was tough, but Williams’ family was able to help her get to her treatments and take care of her sons during the challenging time. A few months ago, she found out her cancer was in remission.

For now, she’s still on disability leave. “I stay at home and watch TV, pick up my kids and help them with their homework,” she said. She also enjoys creative hobbies. “I like coloring crafts, putting puzzles together, crocheting, anything I can do with my hands,” she said.

In the future, Williams will start working again, but she’s taking some time to figure out exactly what she wants to be doing.

Although cancer was grueling, her months at home have allowed her more time with her two sons, Christopher, 15, and Falen, 10. Both are active in school activities, and the family enjoys going camping or fishing together when they can. “Anything fun we can think of doing together, they like doing,” she said.

Williams’ parents, Sandy and Jimmy Williams, still live near Dublin as well. “I love living out here in the country,” Williams said. “It’s peaceful and quiet, and the majority of my family is here in Dublin. I have a ton of aunts and uncles and cousins that live in the area.”

Williams’ advice to Dublin High School students is to make the best of the time they have in Dublin. “You have four years of high school, and then you’re out in the real world,” she said. “Do what you can to have fun, but be prepared to work hard for your money. “

Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.