Alma Jean Strayhorn Williams

Alma Jean Strayhorn Williams, 77, resident of Charleston, Missouri, died on September 27, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 18, 1941 in Little Grove, Tennessee to the late Arbie and Louise Drake Strayhorn.

Alma grew up in Tennessee before the family relocated to Missouri in 1945. She was raised in the church where she acknowledged and accepted Christ at an early age.  She was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Wolf Island, Missouri.

Alma was a loving and devoted wife. She married Stephen S. Williams on June 3, 1972 in Pinhook, Missouri, and they have enjoyed 46 years of happiness. He survives of the home.

She was Salutatorian of her graduating class at Lincoln High School in Charleston, Missouri, where she was  crowned Lincoln High School Homecoming Queen.  She went on to study Pre-Med at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

While education was an integral part of who she was, Alma chose a career path to provide for her family.  She worked at the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) Head Start Program in Charleston, Missouri for over 40 years molding the lives of many area children and their families. She was also employed by the East Prairie School District, Brown Shoe Company, and the Charleston Day Care Center.

Alma enjoyed gardening and beautifying her yard.  She loved fishing, shopping and going to concerts.  Traveling to concerts and family events brought her peace.  Her life revolved around her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Arbie and Louise Strayhorn, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Willie Strayhorn, John Strayhorn, and Roy Strayhorn, and four sisters, Mary Nell Robinson, Gladys Lipsey, Mozella Strayhorn and Rosie Porter,  two brothers-in-law, Charles R. Williams, Sr. and Phil Porter, Sr., and two sisters-in-law, Vada Strayhorn and Ella Mae Strayhorn.

Alma is survived by her husband, Stephen S. Williams of Charleston, Missouri, one son, Dicky Strayhorn of San Antonio, Texas, one daughter, Billie Renee’ Williams of Fayette, Missouri, one brother and three sisters-in-law, Larry (Clementine) Strayhorn and Marilyn Joann Williams of Charleston, Missouri and Lola Louise Williams of Marshall, Missouri, two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Joyce (Charles) Jefro of Carbondale, Illinois, Mary Strayhorn of Sikeston, Missouri, and Lynell Robinson, Sr. of Pinhook, Missouri, a special young lady she raised as her own daughter, Karen Watkins of Clarksville, Tennessee, five grandchildren, Courtney, Kelsey, Christopher, Tommy, and Landen, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Friday, October 5, 2018 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the Williams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Missouri. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:00 am until the funeral hour of 11:00 am at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri with Bishop Paul Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.