Leona Jean Williams

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God...." This verse describes our Mama perfectly. She was an amazing wife and Mother. Anyone who walked into our home was embraced with a warm and genuine love and fed with the best baked goods on the planet! Mama baked every single day while her children were home! She called each of her 9 children "lambs", and each one is convinced that they are her favorite-- because that is how she made us feel.

Leona Jean (Evens) Williams was the seventh of 10 children born to Emma Camille and Silas Monroe Evens on March 10, 1922 in Sunnyside Washington. She was preceded in death by the love of her life E. Jim Williams, and daughters Tania Davis and Marci Williams Storm, and 6 grandchildren: Jeffrey Risch, Danial & Karissa Davis, David Jackson, Ashleigh Williams, and Billy Jackson. She is survived by her twin brothers Lloyd and Floyd Evens; and her children Linda (Bob) Johnston, Jimmy (Nancy) Williams, Karen (Randy) Risch, Sandy (Steve) Davis, Greg (Rebecca) Williams, Tim (Theresa) Williams, and Tammy (Jesse) Williams. She was blessed with 25 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren and more on the way.

Mama incorporated Jesus into every moment of our daily lives and was the means of each choosing Him as their personal Savior. She had a quick wit and loved to laugh and make us laugh, even if it meant starting a food fight with Daddy or standing on her head! Ours was the "hang-out house" for young people or adults, resulting in noisy games, friends from church gathering to play & practice instruments, having stimualating conversation, and lots of sleep-overs, planned or not! She accomplished on a daily basis what it would take four people to manage, by never sitting down until 10:30-11:00 P.M. when she gave herself the privilege of sitting down to read.

Mama's ministry extended to her occupation--as a licensed CNA, she served the elderly with that rare component of unconditional sacrificial love. She was employed at Retsil Veterans Home and at Harrison Memorial Hospital for many years. At age 76 she was still dressed in her favorite color, pink, and driving (FAST!) to minister in personal home care--"the elderly"--some of who were younger in years than herself.

Mama, you will forever be in our hearts and we miss you so much! Love you for always! We will all see you soon~

A Special Thanks to the loving caregivers that contributed to Mama's comfort in her last years: Nurses Kathleen, Louise, Adele, Wayne, Luz, Sally; and their assistants VanDo, Ampie, Steven, Caroline, Paul, Linda, Raddish, and all the others who we have missed but not forgotten.