Valerie Oakley Williams

1957 - 2015

Valerie Oakley Williams, late of Dyke, VA, passed from this earth after a brief illness on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at age 57. Valerie was born in Santa Monica, CA to Laura Amerson Oakley and LeRoy (Lee) P. Oakley on March 15, 1957. She moved with her family to Decatur, GA as an infant and attended Rehoboth Elementary and Shamrock High Schools. She matriculated at DeKalb Community College, Georgia State University, and graduated from Atlanta Area Technical College with a focus in nutrition and food services. A fun-loving wit, Valerie was known for her love of pigs, purple and good-natured pranks. She will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews for the misbehaving pilgrim salt and pepper shakers and the infamous "gator boy". A talented cake decorator, she was known for unique design and extraordinarily true-to-life gum paste flowers. Valerie was predeceased by her first husband, David Williams. She is survived by her parents; her husband, Lynn Powell Harrison of Dyke, VA; three sisters, Vicky Wages (Charles), Linda Touart (Mitchell) and Meredith Oakley (Scott Monahan); a step-daughter, Katherine Harrison; eight nieces and nephews, Jason, Braxton and Michael Wages, Lauren Touart, Emily Touart Edens, Mitchell A. Touart V, Scotty and Bryant Monahan; four grandchildren Sara, Justin, Savanna, and Julianna; and her beloved hound dog, Jack. Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville, VA is handling arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or the Georgia Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) PO Box 49416, Atlanta, GA 30359 (www.apdageorgia.org). A private service will be held at later date.