Elsie V. Williams, 1909-2003, Sweet Springs

Elsie Viola Williams, 94, of Sweet Springs, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, at Sweet Springs Villa.

She was born April 1, 1909, on her parent's farm north of Sweet Springs, the only child of William Delay and Emma Viola Scott Wheeland. On March 23, 1930, she was married to Charles Lawrence Williams. They later divorced.

Mrs. Williams was a 1929 graduate of Sweet Springs High School. She became a member of Sweet Springs Baptist Church in 1934. She was a charter member of Friends of Sweet Springs. She was a member of the Patsy Gregg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a seamstress, who sewed items for her family and patrons. She later worked at the International Shoe Factory in Sweet Springs; Unitog garment factory in Concordia; the Savex Cafe; V Drive-in in Sweet Springs; and Banquet Foods in Marshall. She retired when she was 72.

She collected dolls and had more than 500 of them. She loved flowers. She was known for having a beautiful yard. She loved country music and dancing. She made several friends at Sweet Springs Villa, where she lived the past six years. She loved spending time with her family.

Surviving are a son, Charles "Willie" Williams, of Mount Holly, N.C.; two daughters, Joyce Knight and Vivian Wiley, both of Sweet Springs; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Cindy Kirby.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, with the Rev. James R. West and the Rev. Randy Shannon officiating. Pallbearers will be Tony Knight, Paul Knight, Steve Knight, Carl Wiley, Charles William Jr. and Charles Kirby. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Friday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Elsie Williams Scholarship Fund at Sweet Springs High School.