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Joan Williams Obituary

Joan Rae Williams PORTSMOUTH - Joan Rae Garthright Williams, devoted wife, mother and "Mimi," died Jan. 27, 2009. Joan Rae, a native of Portsmouth, was the daughter of the late Gordon Burney Garthright and the late Olive Vera Newton and stepfather Loyd Newton. She was a member of the Class of 1955 of Woodrow Wilson High School, a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority of which she was a recipient of the Outstanding Girl of the Year Award and a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and its Prayer Chain. Joan Rae was predeceased by her beloved Nanaw and special aunts, Ginny Harman and Mattie Lou Smusz. Joan Rae enjoyed organizing her Christmas "Shop Til You Drop" bus trips to Reading, Pa. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Jimmy Williams; her children, Lt. Col. Jay Williams and wife Paige of Lexington, Va., Janet Williams Slough of Rocky Mount, Va.; five grandchildren, Merryn Bishop Williams, Trey Williams, Olivia Adair Williams, Lindsey Rae Slough and Lauren Renee Slough; eight cousins, Cynthia H. Skinner, Judy W. Lewis, Mary Gay W. Batton, Gerry W. Melton, Betty W. Gard, Tina Smusz, Teddy Smusz and Patricia G. Wood; uncles, Calvin Harman and Ted Smusz; brother-in-law, G. Eugene Williams; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Centenary United Methodist Church by the Rev. Ellen W. Comstock and Dr. L. Wilbur Kersey. Entombment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Chesapeake. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk. Memorial donations may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Caring Committee, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Special thanks extended to all of her friends and family for their love and care given. God Bless.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jan. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Williams

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Ann Haddock

February 2, 2009

Jimmy and family,
I am so sorry about Joan Rae's passing. She was such a dear sweet lady and will be missed. I will never forget her kindness and helpfulness to Merle before he died. It meant so much to both of us. Even with the emptiness in your heart, you and I know the relief that they can breath so well now. God Bless.
Ann Haddock

Lisa Edwards

February 2, 2009

We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you in the coming days.

Boones Mill Branch
Deirdra, Lisa, Kathy, Markus, Jessica, and Alison

Teddy Gray

February 2, 2009

Jimmy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember my Mother speaking about her good friend from High School and seeing Joan Rae when I was very young.
Teddy & Debbie Gray

Bob and Millie Harmison

January 30, 2009

dear Jimmy,
We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time

Nancy Gray

January 30, 2009

Dear Jimmy, Jay and Janet,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. Joan Rae will always be a part of my fondest memories.

Peanut Rose

January 30, 2009

Mr Williams, Jay , & Janet,
I was so sorry to hear of Mrs Williams passing. She was a wonderful lady and I will always remember her and the rest of you. I will keep you all in my prayers right now

Bobby & Chrisanna McKinney

January 30, 2009

Our family send its thoughts and prayers for the loss of such a special person. We have lost an angel on earth who truly loved others and was so happy in life.

Matthew Scott

January 30, 2009

Dear Mr. Williams,
I am so sorry to hear about Joan Rae. She was the sweetest and kindest of people who could always put a smile on someone's face. Just being in her presence was an unforgettable experience. She will be dearly missed. My wife and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Betty Philbrick

January 30, 2009

Jimmy, you have my sincere sympathy. God Bless you and keep you.

Shirley Snead

January 30, 2009

Dear Jimmy and Family,
I am so sad to hear about Joan passing away. I loved her. She was so sweet and kind and fun to be with. I will miss her at the annual conference and just running into her. She was a great lady and I know that her family will miss her. She always talked about her children and grandchildren. I know that she is breathing so much better now.My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love
Shirley & Jessie Snead

Andrea Ciola-Pizzanello

January 30, 2009

Dear Jimmy,
I am very sorry to hear about Joan Rae, she was a great inspiration to me. Every time I saw her she was always smiling and had a positve outlook, no matter how she felt. I will miss running into her around town, and hearing and seeing the great pride she had of her grandchildren and children.
God bless you and your family during this time.
Andrea Ciola-Pizzanello

Beth Rose-Key

January 30, 2009

To the Jimmy, Jay and Janet
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers during this most difficult time.

Carroll Williford

January 30, 2009

We will miss her so much. She was the special light at every family affair.
Love,
Carroll, Dalton, Elizabeth and Laurel

Buddy & Beverley Bridges

January 30, 2009

Joan Rae's kindness will be forever remembered by us.

Judy & Robert Wilson

January 30, 2009

Joan Rae will be missed by all. She was a true lady and loved her family and friends. She will be remembered!

Jackie Elliott

January 30, 2009

Jimmy, I am so sorry for your loss. Joan was a great lady and I enjoyed seeing and speaking with her at the conventions.

Melvin Slough

January 30, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

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