Elsie Williams, born November 27, 1916, departed this life on September 1, 2008. Her accurate and detailed memory and dry humor will be missed by family and friends.
Mrs. Williams was born to Albert Clifford Chambers and Bessie Viola Reeves Chambers in Franks, OK. She attended school at Pleasant Hill and Stonewall, OK. On Christmas Day 1935 she married Frank Williams at Homer, OK, and their union was blessed with two daughters and a son. After the children started school she began her career as a retail clerk at Montgomery Wards, retiring after 15 years of service. She was an active member of the Esther Sunday School class of First Baptist Church, Ada, until illness prevented her attendance. She was an avid gardener, crafter and quilter, who participated in several crafting groups. Early in their retirement she and her husband enjoyed RVing with a group of friends. She loved to travel and managed to visit all 50 states. Her favorite trips were to South Padre Island where she loved to walk the beach and pick up shells. She was always on the lookout for sand dollars, some of which she shared with the grand and great-grand children. She learned to make buttermilk biscuits at the young age of 9 and grew into a very good cook. She passed on her recipes to the younger generations.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her three children and their spouses, Treva June and Wendell Gurley of Ada, Norma Ann and Vernon Young of Tonkawa, and Bob and Barbara Williams of Ada; brothers, Harold Chambers of Thompson Falls, MT, Buford Chambers, Longview, WA, and Marvin Chambers, Kelso, WA; sisters, Aline Roberts of Culver City, OR, and Marie Gould of Kennewick, WA; grandchildren and spouses Kathy and Frank Parks, Tulsa, Tamara and Kelly Chaney of Ponca City, Vicki and Ronnie Scott of Ada, Charles and Lequita Gurley of Ada, Michael and Kim Young, Yampa, CO, Chris Young of Oklahoma City, Laura and Billy Steele of Stonewall, David and Kristin Gurley of Owasso, and Bob and Diana Williams of Stonewall; 23 great grandchildren; and six great great grandchildren.
Mrs. Williams was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, and several brothers and sisters.
Services will be conducted by Melvin Brooking and Harold Ware at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel at 10:00 a.m. Thursday. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at Criswell’s.
Pallbearers are Earl Sullivan, Bobby Johnson, Paul Sandmann, Charles Gurley, Michael Young, Vernon Young, David Gurley, and Don LaSalle.
Memorials may be made in Mrs. Williams’ honor to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 521 S. Broadway, Ada, OK, or the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75184-1125.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
