Lela Williams' Obituary
Lela Velma Williams, daughter of Andrew J. and Mary Jane Crisp Blankenship, was born June 20, 1914, near Competition, in Wright County, Missouri. She departed this life Sunday, October 19, 2008, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-four years, three months, and twenty-nine days. On her twentieth birthday, June 20, 1934, she was united in marriage to Charles Roy Williams, and to this union two daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy, in April of 2000; a daughter, Janice May Williams; two infant grandchildren; four brothers, Jesse Crisp, Virgil, Eli and James Wesley Blankenship; and three sisters, Myrtle Handley, Verba Williams, and Ollie Anthony. Lela is survived by a daughter, Donna Gladden, of Lebanon, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Clevan, Ralph, Robert, and Eric Gladden, Jacquelyn Senate, Jane Faust, and Juanita Gladden; ten great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. She was born and lived the first three years of her life in the Competition, Missouri area. When the family home was destroyed by a tornado in 1917, they relocated near Lynchburg where the children attended Fairview School. After she and Roy were married, they first made their home near the Lynchburg Store and then moved to Kansas during the depression years. In 1943, she and Roy moved to California and made their home in Azusa, where in addition to being a devoted homemaker and mother, Lela also worked at Douglas Aircraft and then at a garment factory for several years. In 1982, she and Roy moved back to the Lynchburg area, and eventually came into Lebanon. Lela was a gifted artist and through the years had painted many beautiful oil paintings. She also was a talented seamstress and had made many of her own clothes. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lela was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will held at 2:00 pm on Friday October 24, 2008 at the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon. Burial will be in the Mt. Carney Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday Evening 7-8:30 pm under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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