Eloise Whisnant Williams

WILLIAMS, Eloise Whisnant, 86, of Richmond, began her journey to the Lord peacefully, painlessly and appropriately on a day set aside for love, St. Valentine's. A woman filled with love and humor, she has now joined her husband of 51 years, Dr. Lewis H. Williams, and her loved and loving son David H. Williams, in the company of our Father. The revelry of these three has just begun and could probably have been heard across the heavens upon their reunion. Mrs. Williams leaves behind three sons, Roger L. Williams of Richmond, Va., his wife Annie, daughter, Lauren and son, Matthew; Steven D. Williams of El Dorado Hills, Calif., his daughters, Katie and Amanda; Van C. Williams of Richmond, Va., and his wife, Beth; and daughter-in-law, Charissa Williams of Tabor City, S.C. Mrs. Williams also leaves behind a daughter, Wendy W. Sykes, who tended to and cared for her so selflessly during her last years. The brothers would like to take this moment to extend to her their deepest gratitude for the generous and gracious devotion of her life in order that Mom could live in dignity until this day. Appreciation also to Wendy's husband, Roth Z. Sykes, and their two sons, Jonathan and William, and daughter, Caroline, for their steadfast efforts as well. Mrs. Williams lived long enough to meet her only great-grandchild, Camilla, daughter of Caroline and her husband, Alan Briggs, of Cary, N.C. Originally from Shelby, N.C., Mrs. Williams also leaves behind a sister, Janice W. Brooks; and numerous nieces and nephews in Shelby. Mrs. Williams devoted her life to her children and gave of all the resources at her disposal, including her undying love. She also passed this along to her grandchildren, and her eyes and spirit brightened always at the sight of them. After a brief nursing career, Mrs. Williams turned to shopping as a profession, and made a greater effort to stimulate the economy than President Obama ever will. The vast majority of Richmond merchants will mourn her passing. She was a decades long member of the First Tuesday Bridge Club in Richmond. She has many dear friends who will miss her greatly and whose lives she touched over the years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009, 1 p.m. at Welborne United Methodist Church, 920 Maybeury Dr., Richmond, Va. 23229. Reception following the service in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coordinators 2 Inc. Adoption Agency, 1617 Monument Ave., Suite 200, Richmond, Va. 23220, Pregnancy Resource Center, 1510 Willow Lawn Drive, Suite 200, Richmond, Va. 23230 or the Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220. Bliley's - Augusta Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.