COLUMBIA CITY - Bessie Mae Williams, 61, of Pierceton, passed away at 3:45 p.m. July 12, 2009, at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn.
She was born April 6, 1948, in Hope, Ky., to James Chester and Coy M. Johnson Banks. On Dec. 23, 1967, at First Baptist Church, South Whitley, she married Otis B. Williams, who survives.
At age 12, she moved from Kentucky to Columbia City, and in 2003, she moved to Warsaw. In 2005, she moved to her present home in Pierceton. She attended Columbia City High School and worked at Weatherhead, Dana Weatherhead and C.F. Gomma as an inspector for 30 years; however, the most treasured job was caring and loving her six grandchildren. She was a former member of First Church of God and Community of Hope, both in Columbia City.
Also surviving are three daughters, Sharon Sue (and spouse Jason) Miley, Columbia City; Amy Adams, Pierceton; and Arlene (and spouse Kent) Kerschner, Warsaw; six grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth, Justin Ford and Andrew Otis Kerschner; Noah Benjamin Adams; and Abigail Mae and Elizabeth Mae Miley; brothers and sisters: Carl (and spouse Pat) Banks, Lexington, Ky.; Virginia (and spouse Walter) Allard, Ishmeal (and spouse Linda) Banks, Michael (and spouse Marsha) Banks, Gary (and spouse Tammy) Banks, Freda Shepherd, Edward (and spouse Dee) Banks, Marie Banks and Harriet (and spouse James) Brown, all of Columbia City. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Linda Sue Banks; and son-in-law, Bryan Adams.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with Pastor Dan Gregory officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
