Erma Lou (Lewis) Williams

Erma Lou Williams, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2024, at the age of 81.

Erma was the beloved wife of the late Richard Atlas Williams, with whom she shared 57 years of devoted marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Shellie T. Lewis and Bernice Kelley Bowen Lewis, her sisters, Charlotte Sipple, Betty Shirah, Annette Taylor, and her brothers J. T. Lewis, Earl Lewis, and Thomas Lewis.

Erma's spirit is carried on by her children, Mike Williams (April), Richard Alan Williams (Ellen), and Rhea Williams (Mike). She was a proud grandmother to Mason Williams, Elizabeth Vickers (Richard), Hannah Williams, and Galen Evans, and a doting great-grandmother to Sarah Williams, Caroline May, Emmalyn Vickers, Lily Vickers, and Davina May. Her siblings Beverly Davis (Glynn), Sonia Long (Roger), and Bobby Lewis, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, also survive her.

A woman of many passions, Erma found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her garden was a vibrant tapestry of color, reflecting her love for flowers and the care she poured into nurturing them. A lover of photography, she captured the beauty of the world around her, preserving memories and moments in time. Erma's lake house was a hub of hospitality, where she welcomed friends and family with open arms and a ready smile, ensuring everyone felt at home.

Traveling brought Erma great delight, whether it was to the tranquility of the lake or the serene beauty of the mountains. She was an enthusiastic fisher, but it was in the kitchen that Erma was a culinary artist, known for her delicious fried shrimp, whose batter was a closely guarded secret, and her Southern staples like fried okra, cornbread, and creamed corn, all lovingly prepared in her cast iron skillet. Her pound cake and tomato gravy were the stuff of family legend, eagerly anticipated at gatherings.

Christmas held a special place in Erma's heart. She transformed her home into a festive wonderland, her decorations a reflection of her love for the season. It was a time for family, for togetherness, and for creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Funeral services for Erma will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from the Chapel of Ward Wilson Funeral Home with Dr. Ricky Plummer officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 10 AM until 11 AM, prior to the service at the funeral home.

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