Velda "Jean" Overmiller

Jean (Williams) Overmiller
June 4, 1936-Sept. 23, 2025
Jean was born June 4, 1936 in Phillips County, Kansas to Robert Boyd Williams and Pearl Loraine Cowan Williams. Her given name was Velda Jean but was "Jean" to all but her three brothers! She was the older sister to three brothers, Roger Boyd Williams, Robert Douglas Williams, and Melvin Kent Williams. She was aged 89 when she died on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS surrounded by family.
As a young child the family moved to Utah where her father was a masonry worker during the war. The family returned to Athol where Jean and her siblings attended Athol Schools. Jean graduated in 1955 from Athol High School-a class of three and the last class to graduate from Athol.
Seventy years ago on October 2, 1955, at 8 a.m., Jean married William J. Overmiller, of Cora, at the Congregational Church in Athol by Rev. Bill Brown. They lived their entire married life in the family home where Bill was born, a mile north of Cora, Kansas. She was a hard-working farm homemaker helping with the sowing and reaping of crops, caring for livestock, preparing meals, and going for parts. Her family was her greatest crop, and nothing was better medicine than to have a grandchild or great-grandchild sit on her lap. To the family she made the best Grandma Jean's Noodles, Homemade Maple Sticks, and home ground Horseradish-which would take your breath away!
Jean was a follower of Christ. She had a personal relationship with Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was committed to share His love with others. As a child, she walked a mile through the field to get to church in Athol. Later she became a member of Thornburg Church. She loved to sing in choirs for revivals and teach Sunday School. In the 1980's and 1990's, Jean and Bill owned the Manna Shoppe, a Christian bookstore on Main Street in Smith Center. She was a member of the Smith Center Gideons Auxiliary Camp and served as state president of Kansas Gideons Auxiliary from 1997 to 1999 after serving two years as state vice-president. She did not miss an opportunity to share a Gideon New Testament with a nurse, server, acquaintance, etc. as she always had a Gideon Bible or two in her purse.
Prior to owning the Manna Shoppe, Jean and Carol Overmiller had Overmiller Upholstery and recovered lots of furniture and equipment, plus an airplane! She also did custom sewing, tailoring suits for several local businesswomen. Her love of sewing also saw her help Bertha Pounds make draperies. She worked part-time for the Smith County Accessors Office in the winter months. Her first job was as a checker for Coulson's Grocery on Main Street in Smith Center, KS.
Jean volunteered at the Little Red School House next to the Smith Center Grade School which was a classroom for special education students. She was also a 4-H project leader and club leader teaching many youths to upholster furniture, cook and sew-including her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a member of the Friendly Neighbors Club, she enjoyed the fellowship, laughter and learning through the years. Jean also took pride in being on the Cora Township Board and was a caretaker for the Cedar Hill (Cora) Cemetery. For years she mowed the cemetery and kept the sticks picked up and staked out plots for burials.
Jean had rheumatic fever as a child, and it affected her hearing. In 2012 she was able to receive a Cochlear Implant which helped to restore her hearing.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd and Pearl Williams, brothers, Roger, and Robert; in-laws Gerald and Mae Overmiller; brother-in-law Bob Overmiller; niece Micki Overmiller Scherling, and granddaughter Jenny Metzgar.
Jean is survived by her husband, Bill Overmiller, Lebanon, KS
brother, Kent (Ruth) Williams, Peabody, KS; sisters-in-law Judy Overmiller, Wichita KS and Mildred Williams, Washington, NC.
daughters, Karma (Bill) Metzgar, Mound City, MO and Pam (Chuck) Warner, Lebanon, KS; son, Jay (Kathleen) Overmiller, Lebanon, KS
Grandchildren: Catherine (Phillip) Lo, El Cerrito, CA; Carina Metzgar, Kansas City, MO; Alicia Warner, Lebanon, KS; Amber Warner, Shawnee, KS; Afftin (Brandon) Hommon, Lebanon, KS; Alayna (Justin) Huber, Seiling, OK; Brittany (Steven) Brothers, Lawrence, KS; Willie (Lara) Overmiller, Lebanon, KS; Trevor Overmiller, Lebanon, KS; Gavin (Allison) Overmiller, Lebanon, KS; Jasmine Seaberry, St. Joseph, MO; and Jaleesa Blakley, St Joseph, MO.
Great-Grandchildren: Riley and Emery Lo, El Cerrito CA; Lane, Luke and Leah Hommon, Lebanon, KS; Xavier, Zion and Onyx Brothers, Lawrence, KS; Dawsen and Rawlin Overmiller, Lebanon, KS; Jackson Overmiller, Lebanon, KS; Kaiden and Jaionyah Blakley, St. Joseph, MO; Taniyah Miller, St. Joseph, MO; Ramiyah and Zariyah Seaberry, St. Joseph, MO.
She also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jean's celebration of life coincides with her and Bill's 70th wedding anniversary. Services held October 2, 2025 at the Thornburg Church, 15092 50 RD, Smith Center, KS. Burial following the services at the Cedar Hill (Cora) Cemetery, 22062 90 Rd., Lebanon, Smith County, KS.
Memorials in her honor can be made to: Thornburg Church-Missions, Gideons International Auxiliary, or Smith County Memorial Hospital.