OBITUARY: Kathleen Doris (Pitts) Williams

Kathleen Doris (Pitts) Williams, age 93, of Harrisburg, passed away at 3:40 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2014, at Harrisburg Medical Center.

She was born on Oct. 2, 1920, in Freeburg, to the late William S. and Mildred (Smith) Pitts. In 1938, Kathleen attended Southern Illinois State Normal University, where she met Don Williams, her husband of 74 years. They were married on March 25, 1939 and subsequently moved to Harrisburg.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Methodist Church women's group and was a member of Eastern Star.

Surviving family members include a daughter: Doris Jean (Sam) Strader of Lexington, Ky.; son: Robert Williams of St. Louis, Mo.; son: James W. (Robyn) Williams of Cave-In-Rock; six grandchildren: Amy (Linden) Long of Lexington, Ky., Bryan (Angela) Strader of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nell (Ron) Fleming of Delavan, Wis., Kathleen Balma of Cave-In-Rock, Maggie (John) Dorsey of Carterville and Wesley (Robie) Williams of Harrisburg; eleven great-grandchildren: Blake Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Ethan Long, Caleb Long, Ellie Long, Grace Strader, Clay Strader, Ronnell Fleming, Abbey Dorsey, Andy Dorsey, and Anna Belle Dorsey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don on June 4, 2013; brother: Williams H. Pitts; and granddaughter: Lisa Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Harrisburg. The Rev. George Schmink will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday, at the church. Reed Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois Blue East Team. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.