Earlene Williams, 96, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away peacefully with family members by her side at 1:16 am on April 6, 2024, at SSM Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.
She was born August 11, 1927, in Hamilton County, Illinois to the late Leonard and Irene “Rena” (Finn) Lewis. Earlene married Robert Williams in October of 1945 in Delafield, Illinois. They were blessed with nearly forty-one years of marriage before he preceded her on June 16, 1986.
Mrs. Williams worked as a nurse aide at Jefferson Memorial Hospital for many years and retired from JCPenney where she worked in the children’s department. Earlene was a member of Logan Street Baptist Church. Earlene’s greatest joy came from her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Grandma “E” poured her heart and soul into nurturing her family, instilling in them values of love, compassion, and resilience. Her home was always filled with laughter, love, and the scent of freshly baked treats, creating cherished memories that will be treasured by her loved ones. Earlene was an incredibly talented crafter. Whether she was sewing, quilting, or crafting, Earlene delighted in bringing joy to others through her handmade creations. Among her most prized creations were her whimsical sock monkeys, each one infused with love and personality. In addition to her devotion to family, she truly loved animals, especially her beloved Rocky and Holly, Miniature Schnauzers, and two cats, Mama and Annie.
Earlene is survived by two sisters, Mary Ruth Glenn and Georgia Lee and husband, Delbert Moss; children, Larry Williams and wife, Marsha of Santa Rosa, California, Janette Dorris of West Frankfort, Illinois, Dale E. Williams and Dell Hill of Troy, Illinois, and Wanda Ward of Centralia, Illinois; and grandchildren, Heather Williams, John Ryan Dorris and wife, Camille, Todd Dorris, Samantha Shumate and husband, Bryan, Wesley Williams and wife, Beth, Eric Williams and wife, Nikki, Travis Ward, Trisha Mosbarger and husband, Ivan, and Timothy Ward. She also leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren, Ryan and Emma Dorris, Bryson and Brock Dorris, Nolyn and Hayes Shumate, Zach and wife, Samantha Ashby, Macy and Libby Williams, Evan and Nora Williams, Jayton and Jonah Ward, Mays Mosbarger, and Jaxon and Gia Ward.
A Visitation will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at noon with Mr. Michael Glenn officiating. Interment will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Dahlgren, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Earlene’s honor to the Jefferson County Animal Shelter. Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
