Virginia Williams Obituary

A Celebration of Life service for Virginia Lee Williams, 90, Lawrence, KS, will be at 3 pm Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Tom Brady officiating.

Mrs. Williams died Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar. She was preceded in death by husband, Bobby A. Williams; grandson, Marine SSgt. Cody Wade Smith; and brother, John Barney Pittman Jr. She is survived by four children, Betsy Ann Russell (Randy), Kansas City, MO, Janice Lynn Allet, Palm Springs, CA, Vickie Lee Hester, La Quinta, CA, and Mark Williams Weishaupt, San Diego, CA; two grandchildren, Jeremy Alan Russell (Whitney), Belton, MO, and Stephanie Lee Russell, Kansas City, MO; three great grandchildren, Jeremiah and Carrie Smith, and Delaney Russell; sister, Mary Ann Brewer, Leesburg, GA; seven nieces, three nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Virginia was born in Memphis, TN, the daughter of John Barney Sr. and Dora Lee Pittman. She graduated from Messick High School in Memphis and attended the University of Tennessee and Memphis State. After graduating from Kansas University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, Virginia taught second grade at Deerfield Elementary School for sixteen years.

Virginia loved life and people. She excelled in playing bridge and had numerous hobbies and activities. In retirement, she continued to volunteer: as a docent for the Spencer Art Museum, science fair judge, and Meals on Wheels to name a few. Virginia was a Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge. In 2007, the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel honored her with a Distinguished Service Award for dedicating over 1,300 volunteer hours to the community.

Friends may call from 2 pm until service time Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Douglas County Hospice, or the Brandon Woods Employee Recognition Committee, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.