Eethel Rosie Williams

Eethel Rosie Williams, a longtime resident of Cleveland was born June 19, 1915 in Paris, Arkansas to Oscar and Maud Ethel (McGee) Young. Eethel moved to the Strang, Oklahoma area as a young child where she received her education inside a one room school in Stigler. The family later moved to the Old Mannford Area; where Eethel then attended the Mannford Schools where she began playing basketball. After finishing her education, Eethel met her future husband, John Williams in a pea patch in Mannford, Oklahoma and they later married on October 2, 1935.

After Eethel and John were united in marriage they made their intial home in Mannford, Oklahoma. They later moved to Cleveland and during the 1940ís, Eethel and John purchased Johnnieís Grocery from his father Elmer. Eethel continued to operate the store for several years. In the 1960ís Eethel began operating the Snack Bar on West Caddo. Eethel continued to run the Snack Bar until the late 1970ís.

Eethel was a very loving person and loved to play the piano, being outside and cherished the time spent with her children, brothers, sisters, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as the fellowship with her church family. As a young girl Eethel looked forward to the vacations the family took to their cousinís home. You could always count on Eethel to tell you the truth no matter what the consequences brought. Her favorite time of the year was the fall time; because of the beautiful colors and cool weather.

Eethel had numerous things that made her happy but one of the happiest times in her life was the meeting of her husband John. Eethel was dedicated to her family, continuing to take care of her parents until their death. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends and when asked what her advice was; she'd tell you, The same as my mother told me,...just be yourself, and do not smoke, drink or do drugís.. Her favorite meal was country biscuits and gravy in addition to country ham. Eethel loved to visit Branson, Missouri and Eureka Springs, Arkansas to attend the musical shows. Eethel was a very devoted Christian and longtime member of the Church of Christ.

Eethel passed away July 28, 2005 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 90 years 1 month and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John in 1988; daughter-in-law, Sondra; five brothers Ray Young, Arlis Young, Lloyd Young, Burl Young, Arthur Young; and one sister Eddith Robinson.

Survived by her one son DeWayne Williams of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two daughters, Louise Kesner of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Cindy Squier of Cleveland, Oklahoma; three sisters Opal Serzy of Amarillo, Texas; Pauline Hendricks of Riverside, California; Imogene DeLay of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five granddaughters Carol Ann Sallee of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Amy Kesner of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mandy Tolbert of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Vickie King of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Ashley Underwood of Cleveland, Oklahoma; six great grandchildren, Caroline and Lincoln Sallee both of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Audrey Boyles of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Chloe, Olivia, and Preston Tolbert all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Sydney Underwood of Baytown, Texas as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers include Linc Sallee III, Todd Saxton, Justin Tolbert, Mark DeLay, Bruce DeLay, and Phillip Robinson.

Funeral services will be held Monday; August 1, 2005 at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of the Church of Christ officiating will be Robert Prater with Randall Maxwell leading the musical selections. Burial will conclude in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Visit an online Lifeís Legacy Video, obituary and guestbook for Eethel Williams at www.chapman-black.com.