Willa Dean Blair Williams

Willa Dean Blair Williams age 83, loving caregiving matriarch and pillar of her family made her triumphant entry into her Heavenly home Saturday, January 6, 2024. She was a nurturing, inspiring, intelligent, steadfast, resilient, hospitable, compassionate, long-suffering, humble, advocate and peacemaker for her family who gave unconditionally of the fruit of her hands. She was known for her signature palatable sweet tea and in her earlier days for feeding alongside her mother a host of family and community people for many many years. She worked willingly with her hands, mind, heartand spirit. Always protecting and providing for her family and knowing the difference between her purpose and calling. 2 Peter 1:10 reads " Therefore, my brothers  and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will not stumble."

She was a very beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, sister-in-law and friend.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe Hugh Blair and Jennie Irene Gilliam, her loving husband of 62 years, Vernon Osment Williams, Sr. and children, Jerry Lee and Cornell Williams and Janet Williams Pettaway and ALL of her fifteen(15) siblings, Abigail, Matilda, Marshall, Claudena, Fletcher Jr., James, Ailene, Thelma, Billy, Henrietta, Franklin, Bertha Mae, Reba Jo, Dorothy and Cecil. She attended Inman Street Church of God and All Nations Church of God for many years before she became a member of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she was baptized as a child.

Survivors include her three loving children, Vernon Williams, Jr., Outreach Minister, Tona Williams and Bill Williams (caregiver). Five grandchildren, LeVar Williams, Minister Solomon(Kyeshia) Williams, Curtis Pettaway III, Abdul Williams and Shiesha(Gary) Pettaway. Nine great-grandchildren, Lakasha, Zadarius, Andrew, Bailee and Zoe Williams and Jairus, Xavier and Ja'Nayah Pettaway and Shyliah Jackson. One great great-grandchild, Cainan Williams. One sister-in-law Dana Hurst of Buffalo, NY.  Several devoted nieces Lynnette Blair, Linda Blair, Cynthia (Charlie Sr.)Brewer, Bennette Ramsey, Jacqueline Finley, Margaret McClellan, ZennettaTaylor and Sinetra (Lorraine)Blair, Several loyal nephews Tony(Connie) Blair, Steven(Cindy) Hutcherson, Kenneth( Sheila) Blair, Keith(Elsie) Blair, Robert(Gwen) Pitner, Johnny(Deborah) Pitner, Joe(Angela) Blair and Lawrence Brewer. A hosts of other great nieces who she helped raised ,Bertha Blair, Janice Blair, Takeshia Hickey. Great-nephew, Freddie(Bettie) Pitner and many other special family members who she loved all the same. A special and devoted friend, Stephanie Brabson, other  community friends alongside all of her loving and compassionate in-laws whom she held dearly and close to her heart. The entire community of family and friends will cherish the fond memories of this strong and faithful woman of God.

Homegoing services and celebration of life will be held at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 2:00PM with Rev. Edward Robinson officiating and delivering the eulogy. Family visitation will be held one hour before the service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church 799 Inman St. E, Cleveland, TN. Interment will follow the service at Fort Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, TN.

The family of Willa Dean Williams wishes to thank Drs. William (Vicki) Blalock, Susan Finch, Daniel Vance, Ahmad Ibrahimbacha, Rohit Gupta, Laxmi Parsa, Sylvia Krueger, Michael Econs, and nursing staff, Stacey Rongey, Teresa K, Kent Hulvey, NP and Connie Foster.

The family of Willa Williams requests donations be made to Indiana University School of Medicine to support Osteopetrosis Research. Make memorial gifts payable to

“IU Foundation” and mail to IU Foundation, P.O Box 7072, Indianapolis IN 46207-7072