Susan Burks Williams

Susan Burks Williams

February 19, 2025

During the early morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Susan Burks Williams was taken from us and joined her husband of 53 years exploring the cosmos. While finding answers or making sense of a tragedy seem the most appropriate next steps, we instead choose to focus on the amazing woman our mother was for 80 years, finding deep comfort that she is finally with her soulmate.

Mom spent her life in service to those less fortunate, the forgotten and the underserved. For 32 years, she was the Executive Director of the League of Older Americans, and she remained a fierce advocate for the elderly in her retirement.

For 55 years she raised and mentored two boys, turning them into men by instilling values and a sense of purpose that our responsibility to do good deeds goes well beyond our immediate families and must impact the larger communities we inhabit.

Our world view and approach to life has been shaped by a strong, passionate woman and we would be much lesser men without her influence. Mom's home was filled with birthday and holiday cards and gifts, all wrapped and written, months earlier than needed. At the time of her passing, mom was at least 90% ready for Christmas 2025.

Mom was active in the community, volunteering at local elementary schools and Christ Episcopal Church. She also loved to deliver the paper each morning to her fellow residents and would leave detailed notes for whoever needed to cover when she traveled. To the amazing women of her club, there is very little that our mother enjoyed more than your comradery and friendship. Thank you, we are so grateful to each of you. To her many "sisters" including Anna, Laura, Rose Beverly, Diane, and Mimi, your relationship with mom was profound and she loved you to her core.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Williams and is survived by her son, Dr. Trenor Williams and his wife, Sara, and Adam Williams and his wife, Dr. Talena Williams; her sister, Nancy Bruce McGuire and her children, Maggie, Katie and Burks; her grandchildren, Emma, Charlotte, Tyson and Stella; and her longtime friend and caregiver, Danny Harig.

A visitation service will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 318 Church Ave., Roanoke, on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the RAM House, the Bradley Free Clinic or the Southwest Virginia Food Bank. Condolences may be shared with her family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - Roanoke Chapel

Downtown Roanoke, VA (540) 982-2100