Alma Jean Williams

Alma Jean Williams was born on April 11, 1934, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She was the fourth of five siblings of the late Herman and Ozie Johnson.

She met the love of her life, Louis Williams Jr., in Canton Mississippi, and was married on December 26, 1953, and remained forever married for forty-nine years.

From this union, they were blessed with six children: Kenneth Williams, Toni (Williams) DeBose, Kelvis Williams, Sharon (Williams) Boatner, Kimberley (Williams) Franklin, and Christopher Williams.

Alma spent her early education at Richland Vocational School and Canton High School – all in Mississippi. Alma was active with her high school reunion and served as committee chair.

She also attended Jackson College, which is now known as Jackson State University (JSU), where she played on the JSU Women’s basketball team as a roving guard. 

She and Louis left Mississippi and started their life together in East Chicago, Indiana. Once she moved to East Chicago, she joined Tabernacle Baptist Church and was a faithful and active member. As a leader, Alma led the annual April birthday church program along with being on several Tabernacle Church committees.  

She is affectionally known as “Aunt Sister”, and “Jean” and always had a spirited life full of fun and laughter. If you played bid-whist with her and lost, it was because she cheated. Alma loved to tend to her flowers and vegetable garden. She was also a huge fan of all the Chicago professional sports teams: Cubs, Bears, White Sox, and Bulls.

Alma was a former employee of A&P, where she retired. After retirement, she was employed at Montgomery Wards as a Customer Sales Representative where she was often rewarded with being the “Saleswomen of the Month.” As a great saleswoman, she sold many items that included Stanley products, Avon, and inspired designer purses, just to name a few. 

Alma departed this life on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Community East Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

She leaves to cherish her six children: Kenneth (Cheryl) Williams of Costa Mesa, CA, Toni (Joseph) DeBose of Atlanta, GA, Kelvis (Charlotte) Williams of Indianapolis, IN, Sharon (Leon) Boatner of Gary, IN, Kimberley (Dwayne) Franklin of Atlanta, GA, and Christopher Williams of Atlanta, GA. One sister, Everlean Cook of Camarillo, CA; Mother-in-law, Maggie Rae Williams of Mississippi; Brothers-in-law; Pastor Louis P. (Irma) Williams, Eddie (Doris) Williams; Sisters-in-law; Marie Porter, Louvinia Roberts, Justine (Donell) Holmes, Johnnie (LC) Robinson, Sadie Esco, Mary Jo Williams – all of Illinois, and Ada Harris of Mississippi.

Alma is leaving quite a legacy with twelve grandchildren: Carlos Williams, Kellee Johnson, Marc Williams, Katarra Williams, Alex DeBose, Amber DeBose, Kyle Williams, James Dawkins, Dwayne Kendrick, Thomas (Ciara) Boatner, Brandon Boatner, and Maliyah Williams; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Williams Jr., Mother and Father, Herman and Ozie Johnson, her brothers; John Wesley Johnson, and Herman Johnson, and her sister; Perlean Denson.

Alma will be missed and will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.

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