Effie Ned Williams

Effie Ned Williams, "Yets'enolo-eelno," 89, passed away Dec. 16, 2008, in Fairbanks.

Effie was born June 15, 1919, in Allakaket to Lilly Ned and Ned (no last name). She was given to Tilly and Thomas as a small child and raised by them until Tilly's death. Thomas then placed her at Allakaket Mission. Thomas was a subsistence provider and always thought of her when he was out hunting and trapping. When he returned, he always brought her special treats, which were delicacies that Native people around the Koyukuk River valued.

When she was 14, her biological parents took her back into their family so she could be with her siblings. She came to know and love her family and always talked about all the things they did.

She was an exceptional student at Allakaket School and grasped everything taught her. When she completed eighth grade, it was decided by her parents that she should not leave the village for further education so she repeated eighth grade. She always spoke of this and was proud to have done that.

When barely 16, Effie married William Williams in Allakaket on June 23, 1935. She was taught by her husband's adoptive parent the traditional ways of the Koyukon people. Effie lived on the South Fork of the Koyukuk River with her husband where they raised their family in seasonal camps.

Effie was a modest and humble person, and taught her children and grandchildren the traditional subsistence skills and family values they needed to be successful. In the late 1950s, they moved to Allakaket when it became mandatory for children to attend school. Effie became involved in the community. She was on the church committee at St. John's in the Wilderness, a member of the Alter Guild and taught Sunday school.

One of the highlights of her community service was when a photo she took of St. John's in the Wilderness Church was featured on the cover of the Alaska Churchman.

Effie volunteered to sell fishing and hunting licenses, manned the election booth to register voters and organized dances for the March of Dimes. She worked in the store to make money for her growing family.

Effie also raced dogs for many years. She sewed many boots, parkas, gloves, dolls, snowshoes and ropes from moose and caribou hides. In later years, she worked for Bureau of Land Management as a firefighter and for the school as an Athabascan Indian Education teacher. Effie continued to sew and bead until last year.

She and William took in many children and dearly loved them all no matter the length of their stay.

Effie is survived by her husband of 73 years, William Williams of Allakaket; sons, Edison (Ann Edwards) and Daniel Glenn Williams of Allakaket; daughters, Velma Schafer (Lary) of Fairbanks, Julia (Pollock) Simon of Allakaket, Linda W. Demientieff of Fairbanks/Nenana, Sharon Kay Williams of Fairbanks; niece, Marie (Moses) Henzie of Allakaket; beloved nieces and nephews, Thomas, Samson, Silas Henry, Fred, Stanley, Alvin, Eleanor and June Ned; grandchildren, Andy Simon Jr., Geri Simon, Joy Simon, Barbara Simon, Jeff Simon, PJ Simon, Cheryl Doyona Simon (Alex), Claudia Vincent (Phillip) and Whitney Demientieff (Mark); great-grandchildren, Justin Tonelli, William Frank, Keel Simon, Tom, Tyler, Tia and Alex Bergman Jr., Nathaniel and Trinity Vincent, Dena Sam, Stacy Captain, Kim Huntington and Cailan Simon; and many family members and close friends in the Interior and Northwest Arctic.

Effie was preceded in death by her parents, Ned and Lilly Ned; her beloved first three children who were never forgotten, Joslyn Williams, Annette Williams and a stillborn baby girl; sisters Lily, Daisy, Frances, Olivia and another girl named Olivia; and brothers, Simon Ned, Charles Ned and Fred Ned. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at Chapel of Chimes. The Rev. Scott Fisher will officiate. She will be laid to rest at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 22, in Allakaket

Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.