Laverne Williams

Laverne Williams

Age 78 of Ottawa and formerly of Diamond, passed away Saturday October 6, 2007 at the Community Hospital of Ottawa after a lengthy illness.

Born December 17, 1928 in Pontatock, Mississippi, Laverne is the daughter of the late Knox and Pauline (Tallant) May. She was raised and educated in Mississippi and on March 16, 1945 she married Emeral Williams in Indianola Mississippi.

Laverne belonged to several bowling leagues over the years and was a member of the Ravlin Red Hat Society.

Survivors include her two sons: Gene (Geri) Williams of Crest Hill and "Albert" Van (Mary) Williams Sr. of Ottawa; eight grandchildren: Nicole, Stacey, Chad, Van Jr., Tom, Tim, Mike and Kelli Williams; two step-grandchildren: Ron Arroyo and Cathy Davis; seven great-grandchildren: Haley, Ross, Gavin, Josh, Sophia, Paige and Lexus Williams; three step-great-grandchildren: Nathan and Gabriel Davis and Christian Arroyo; two brothers: Bill May of Aurora and Duddley May of Crest Hill, and one sister Dorthy Reeves of Winser, VA.

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Emeral on April 17, 2005, and brothers Brooks Rayburn and Cecil Eugene May.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 9, 2007 from 10:00AM until time of funeral services at 12:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Laverne's nephew, Reverend Scott Williams will officiate.

Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery and pallbearers will be her grandsons: Albert "Van", Thomas, Timothy, Michael and Chad Williams and Ronald Arroyo.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Laverne's memory to a charity of the donor's choice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.