Anne Deley, born Virginia Anne Williams on the 12th of June 1936, to Gerald Preston and Velma Ester Burke Williams, “Rob and Shorty,” loved as “Annie,” passed on to God’s peace and freedom on the 4th of July 2026. She has been in the loving care of her surviving daughter Andrea Lynn Deley Byrne and loved by sons Anthony Louis Deley “Tony” (Mary) and Andrew Williams Deley “Drew” (Dionyssia).
Anne’s sister Karen Phelps, brothers-in-law Dr. Dee Boswell and Maj. Tom Phelps, survive her along with dear grandchildren Aaron (Cecily), Adelaide, Clara, Will, Juliette, Isabelle, great grandchildren Addison and Braeden, family nieces and nephews Amy, Julie, Gerald, Pam, Cheryl, Crystal, Mandy, Meri, Thomas; Teena, Jon, Panna, Chris, Mike, George, Nasia, Rita, Jimmy, Tommy, Leon, Joanna, and many family cousins.
Anne was born and raised in Centralia, Illinois to an American Irish (maternal Burke) Scottish (paternal Williams) family. She accomplished a longed-for visit to Ireland with her children and grandchildren for her 70th birthday, visiting the port of departure for ancestors Patrick and Bridget Burke.
Anne loved and wrote poetry, often about family and the nature of her home and surroundings. She chose an Episcopal upbringing for our family, engaging in a religious and spiritual dimension throughout her life. Anne loved music and song as a social, family and study in adult life. She also enjoyed creative cooking, family travel and theater. Professionally, Anne provided many years of career support to the medical community and senior social services. She is respected, loved, cherished, and valued for these accomplishments by family and friends far and wide.
Anne is preceded in passing by brothers and sisters, George (Pat), Sue, Kay (Bill), Gary (Dorothy); her former husband of 33 years, and our beloved father, Anthony Louis Deley, infant daughter Mary and other treasured family.
The World is a wonderful place and Anne made it even better for all of us, with her love, devotion to family, endearing humor, open-hearted compassion, radiant spirit and profound emotional strength. Eternal be her memory. Mom.
A visitation to honor Anne’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the First United Presbyterian Church in Centralia. Following the visitation, a funeral service celebrating her life will take place at 10:30 AM with Pastor Joannie Naraghi and The Rev. Dr. Gregory A. Tournoux officiating. Anne will be laid to rest at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Iuka, Illinois at 2:30 PM on Saturday. Per the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Alzheimer’s Association and/or Episcopal Relief & Development and these will be graciously accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Anne’s family.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared with the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit our Sympathy Store
