Monday, January 13, 2014

Obituary -- Naomi Ahlene Gilland Williams 1924-2014



Naomi Williams, 89, Lawrence, Kan., formerly of Laclede, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Laclede United Methodist Church, Laclede, with Rev. Richard Casady and Kevin Holloway officiating. Burial was in Parklawn Cemetery, Brookfield.
Memorials to Laclede United Methodist Church may be left at the church or mailed to Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, PO Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.
Naomi Ahlene, was born June 21, 1924, in Allendale, daughter of Dewey Lafayette and Edna Mae (Dickerson) Gilland. On August 21, 1945, she married Edward E. Williams. He preceded her in death February 5, 1972.
Naomi was a graduate of Grant City MO High School and taught school in Worth County, MO. She attended college in Maryville MO and Kirksville MO. She also obtained a Secretarial Degree at the age of 48 and worked as Secretary to the Director of the School of Nursing at San Juan College, Farmington, NM, and later obtained her license in cosmetology. She was co-owner and co-founder with her husband, Edward, in their business, Nu-Rest Bedding Company in Laclede MO from 1949 until 1973. After she moved to Lawrence, KS in 1987 she worked at Weaver’s Department Store until her retirement in 2003. She was an active member of the Laclede United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a member of the PEO Sisterhood for over 50 years and Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron.
Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer S. Brown, Lawrence, KS, and Deborah Elaine Williams, and fiancé, Larry Lewis, Linn Valley, KS; two sons, Lynn E. Williams, Albuquerque, NM, and Alan Williams, Overland Park, KS; four grandchildren, Tiffany M. Brown, Marietta, GA, Kyle R. Brown and wife, Teresa M.. Merriam, KS, Ashley (Brown) Ayala and husband, Roberto, Jr., Lawrence, KS, and Lindsey (Williams, daughter of Lynn E.) Hagle and husband, Andy, Seattle, WA; three great-grandchildren, Ava Madison and Evans Roberto Ayala, Lawrence, KS, and Olivia Kaitlyn Brown, Merriam, KS; two sisters, Patricia Hall, Pocatello, ID, and Mary Ellen Prater, St. Joseph, MO; one brother, Jon Quentin Gilland, Albuquerque, NM; and a sister-in-law, Jessie Gilland, Grant City, MO.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; her beloved brother, George Dewey Gilland; and beloved son-in-law, Dr. Robert F. Brown.
Naomi was deeply loved by family and friends alike, and will be greatly missed.

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