Maxine Williams
March 7, 1926 ~ May 21, 2023
Ora 'Maxine' Williams, 97, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Garnett Place, Cedar Rapids. Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023 at United Methodist Church, Springville, Iowa. Visitation: one hour prior to service. Private Family Burial: Whittier Friends Cemetery.
Survivors include her children, Dennis (Pat) Williams, Bruce (LeAnna) Williams, and Susan (Jim) Oujiri; brother, Donald West from Colorado; grandchildren, Sean, Jamie, Lucas, and BreAnna; step-grandchildren, Jeff (Sharmon) Oujiri and Janessa (Travis) Hada; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Caleb, Haylee, Sydney, Carly, Laney, Braylie, Evalyn, Mariah, and Kiarra; step-granddaughters; Brittney and Megan; great great-granddaughter, Charlotte, many other loving family members, special friends from church, and close friends from the painting group, Palette Pals.
Maxine Williams was born March 7, 1926 in rural Cedar County to Marvin and Myrtle (Goodall) West. She attended Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids, graduating in 1944. She went on the graduate from St. Luke's Methodist School of Nursing in 1947. She married J. Robert Williams on December 19, 1948.
Maxine was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Springville. Maxine was in many clubs and organizations; church choir, United Methodist Women, Whittier Sunday School teacher, Whittier Garden club, Palette Pals, garden leader of 4H, leader for Campfire Girls, served as Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and was a former member of Springville Monday Club.
She also assisted in all aspects of farming, serving the community, being a good neighbor, caring for family, making friends, opening home to visitors, traveling to different parts of the country, enjoyed reading, baking, gardening, fishing, all kinds of music, and keeping track of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J. Robert Williams; siblings, Joe West and Phyllis Johnson; parents-in-law, John and Edna Williams; siblings-in-law, Margaret, Art, Virginia, and Howard; aunt, Tacy Willits; nephew, Greg Williams; and nieces, Shirley Scoville and Debbie Connelly.
Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church, Springville, Iowa, or Whittier Friends Cemetery.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
One of my favorite memories of Aunt Maxine was when my sisters and I would leave the big city of Cedar Rapids and spend time on the farm with Aunt Maxine and Uncle Bob! One summer It was a hot day and we played with the garden hose to cool off. We filled a half 50 gallon barrel with water to play in. I happen to cut my knee on that rusty barrel but I was lucky Aunt Maxine was a nurse😊. Still have that scar and memories! Rest at piece Aunt and tell everyone hi for us! Until the next family reunion.
Love, Wendy West Mudd
With deepest sympathy in the loss of your beloved Mother and Grandmother. May the good Lord bless you with comfort and peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Denny, Bruce, Susan and Family – I am so sorry for your loss. Growing up, I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting the farm during our annual summertime trips to Iowa from Colorado – very special memories. I had the chance to visit Aunt Maxine a few years ago and I will treasure her memory forever.
A gentle soul who will be missed. The gardens in heaven will be greener with her care.
I remember a lovely lady who was a GFWC/Iowa Springville Club member. There were several times, long ago, when she traveled with our ladies from Walker, maybe as far as Sioux City. And I would see her at some Methodist functions as well. I belong to the R.A.R.E. Club of Walker. I am so sorry for the loss of Maxine.
Maxine was a dear sweet lady. We enjoyed our talks, her hugs, and her welcoming smile. We always looked forward to her coming out to attend church with us. How she loved Jesus. And how we loved her. We will miss her, but are so grateful we will see her again. We pray for peace and comfort for her family. She loved you all and spoke often of you.
Dennis, Bruce, and Susan,
Remembering your mom with fondness, in recalling when she was “den mother“ to our Cub Scout den, and her creativeness with activities and projects. Also her hospitality whenever I visited, and worked for your dad. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
There was not a time that I met Maxine when I did not feel a spiritual peace emanating from her which in turn gave me such peace as well. The sweetness of this lady gave me great joy as we talked and as I watched her listen to the messages I gave at Garnett Place on those Sunday afternoons. It was evident the LORD was within her even without a word coming through her lips. As Dixie wrote, I too shall enjoy a reunion with Maxine when the LORD deems the timing to be correct. May each of Maxine’s family be comforted knowing she has left many wonderful memories behind for each of us who knew her to cherish and hold onto dearly.
David