Ava Williams
1934 ~ 2018
Date of death: April 29, 2018
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Williams family. Ava's earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall their be anymore pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Ava Williams.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Ava Fern Vann was born January 19, 1934 in Nowata, Okla. to the late Ray and Minnie (née Jenkins) Vann. She was a graduate of Parsons High School. After graduating from Parsons Junior College, she obtained a teaching position at Booker Elementary School in Alma, Ark. She married Charles Dennis Williams on April 12, 1958. To this union were born two daughters, Charlotte Denise and Carla Dianne. Charles and Ava enjoyed 59 years of matrimony. He preceded her in death on November 18, 2017.
Mrs. Williams served as principal of Booker Elementary for 10 years. She is fondly remembered as an educator who instilled pride and dignity in her students during the days of segregated education. She left teaching after many years and began working for the Arkansas Employment Security Division. She retired in 2008.
Mrs. Williams was a faithful member of Greater Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church of Van Buren, Ark. where she actively served for over 50 years. She fell ill on her birthday in 2018 and past from death unto life on April 29, 2018.
Ava was predeceased by an infant sister Emma Kay, sister Joann Thurman, brother William “Billy” Vann, sister Ruth Warren-Carr, and brother John Vann.
She leaves to cherish her life and loving memory, her daughters, Charlotte Williams of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dr. Carla Williams of Washington DC; sisters, Wynella Vann and Betty (James) Adams both of Wichita, Kansas; brother Samuel “Jimmy” Vann of Wichita, Kansas, Ronald (Henrietta) Vann of Kansas City, Missouri; sisters-in-law Dorcas Vann of Wichita, Knasas, Joyce (Richard) Corner of Shreveport, Louisiana, Pearline Williams of Moore, Oklahoma; three granddaughters; one great granddaughter; one great grandson, and host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 4, 2018 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary.
Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 35 S. 22nd St, Van Buren.
Committal service and final resting place will be held at Oak Cemetery, Fort Smith.
