Shirley H. Williams

Shirley Ann Williams passed peacefully into the arms of God while in the loving company of her family on November 22, 2022 at the age of 84. Shirley was born at home in Wallace, Indiana on March 24, 1938, to Alsina Pearl and Irel Ernest Howard. A few short weeks after her birth ,Shirley's father passed away and she was raised, along with her brother Robert (Bob), by their mother. The family settled in Speedway, IN, where they weathered through hard times, war, and loss, bolstered by their faith and love. All of this influenced Shirley to become the strong, devout, and incredible woman she was. Shirley graduated from Speedway High School just three weeks after she married the love of her life, Earl Nile Williams on May 5, 1956, and they were happily married for 52 years. Shirley and Earl had three children, Christie Elaine, Diana Dawn (D.D.) and Kent Howard. Shirley and Earl had 4 grandchildren, (Ryan, Amie, Anastasia & Chance) and a great grandchild (Brooks) (with one more on the way). Her contribution of time, love and knowledge in raising her 4 amazing grandchildren was priceless. A bit of her lives on in each of them. The family enjoyed boating every weekend with their family and friends. They also enjoyed traveling with their dear and lifelong friends, Dick and Judy Mendenhall. Shirley was led to rededicate her life to Jesus Christ on March 15, 1968 after an ailing D.D. recovered, with much prayer, from rheumatic fever. Shirley was often quoted as saying “How could I not serve Him when He healed my child?” Shirley was a devout woman who never tired of reading scripture and leading her life accordingly. She instilled this love of God into her children and then later her grandchildren. Shirley faithfully served and taught Sunday School at Sunnyside Road Baptist Church for many years. Later she became a devoted member of Cornerstone Baptist Church. Shirley’s greatest joy would be knowing of all the people she touched with her love and the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Shirley worked several jobs during her life, her lengthiest association with the Lawrence School District as a bus driver / trainer. She retired after 31 years of service. Shirley went on to work for Camacho Equipment and Janitorial Supply and she retired from there with 10 years of service and lifelong friendships. Shirley was preceded in death by her father (Irel E. Howard), mother (Alsina Pearl Mathias), brother (Robert Howard), husband (Earl Nile Williams), and daughter (Christie Elaine Bowers). She is survived by her daughter, Diana D. Bernitt (Douglas), her son, Kent Howard Williams (Susan Glass), son-in-law Kim Theodore Bowers, and four grandchildren; Ryan Douglas Bernitt, Amie DiAnn Skarman (Dan Skarman), Anastasia Nicole Williams, Chance Howard Williams and one great grandchild, Brooks Theodore Bowers Visitation will be at the Cornerstone Baptist Church on Monday, November 28, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. It will be followed immediately by a service honoring her at 11:00 am. A Private burial will be held later the same day. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cornerstone Baptist Academy, St Jude Children’s Hospital or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

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Shirley H. Williams

March 24, 1938 - November 22, 2022