Louise Williams
Louise Williams, 80, of Anna, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
She was born on June 11, 1939, in Grand Chain to Russell and Margaret Herren Heisner.
She married Bruce Williams on Jan. 31, 1957, and they shared 62 years of marriage.
She was a very caring and nurturing woman who opened up her home to many. Together she and Bruce raised 53 foster children.
“Mama Lou,” as she was known by some, also was an international hospitality parent to many international students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, as well as SIU Carbondale, since 1972.
She loved animals and has raised miniature horses, goats and sheep. At one time she had over 100 animals.
She was very active in genealogy and the garden club and a passionate supporter of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry and the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home.
From 1967 to 1980 Louise was a real estate broker, managing Holzinger Real Estate in Staunton, and was a member of the Edwardsville-Collinsville Board of Realtors.
She has been a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church since 1956. She was a graduating member of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School class of 1957.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Williams; 13 children, Mona (Alan) Morgan, Melody (Bob) Snider, Dawn Holmes, Judy (Billy) Halter, Heather (Michael) Walker, Tony (Andrea) Williams, Holly (Dean) Barringer, Robin Brazel, Tammy (Chuck) Ridens, Belinda (Dan) Robertson, Tim Crippen, Jessica Crippen and Luciann (John) Barnitz; 40 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Glenn (Juanita) Heisner, Fredrick Scott Heisner; a half-sister, Peggy Ledbetter; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Heisner; her mother and stepfather, Margaret and Elmer Wilson; a son, Shawn Williams; a son-in-law, Michael Brazel; a grandson, Micah Williams; a great-granddaughter, Adleigh Cuevos; and a half-sister, Nola Jean Heisner.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Anna Heights Baptist Church in Anna.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Darryl Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Anna City Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Anna Heights Baptist Church, Holt International, an organization Mrs. Williams supported for many years or to the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.