Emma Lou Williams

Emma Lou Blum Williams, 83, of Buffalo Street, Franklin, died at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at The Caring Place in Franklin. Born June 2, 1925, in the Oil City Hospital, she was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison and Anna Ethel Newberry Blum. She was married Nov. 29, 1945, in the Free Methodist parsonage in Oil City by the late Rev. L.J. Lindsey to Harry William Williams, who preceded her in death Nov. 22, 1993. Mrs. Williams was a 1943 graduate of Oil City High School, and upon graduation she worked at Oilwell Supply. From 1968 until her retirement, she was a cook at Seventh Street Elementary School in Franklin. As a teenager, Mrs. Williams came to faith in Jesus Christ and faithfully served her Lord throughout her lifetime. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Franklin for more than 60 years. During her many years there, she served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, Bible school worker, Sunday School superintendent, board member, sang in the choir and provided special music and special readings on many occasions. In her later years, she made phone calls to shut-ins and was in charge of the card ministry to members and friends of the church. Mrs. Williams will be remembered for her friendliness, kindness, compassion and sense of humor. She was a devoted, godly mother and grandmother and treasured the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Williams is survived by four children, Gary L. Williams and his wife, Marilyn, of Oil City, David L. Williams and his wife, Donna, of West Windsor, N.J., Mark E Williams and his wife, Dee, of Franklin, and Karen S. Myers and her husband, Dennis, of Oil City. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Bryon Williams and his wife, Maria, of Gibsonia, Todd Williams and his wife, Mandy, of Franklin, Ashley Cayce and her husband, Stephen, of Fayetteville, N.C., Andrew Williams of West Windsor, N.J., Frank White (foster grandson) and his wife, LeeAnn, of Oil City, Danielle Myers of Oil City, Kaylene Yoder and her husband, Shawn, of Seaford, Del., Joel Myers of Oil City, Tyler Myers of Oil City, David Williams and his wife, Sara, of Franklin, Ryan Williams and his wife, Tori, of Franklin, and Scott Williams and his wife, Kelley, of Franklin; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by a brother, Glen Edward Blum; and a sister, Mary Ellen Beck. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Jo Pottle, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, and the Rev. Linda Deeter, chaplain of The Caring Place, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be made to Christian Life Academy in Seneca, Calvary Baptist Church or The Caring Place. Condolences may be sent online at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.