Pauline Williams

Neva “Pauline” Williams, third child of Howard Eugene and Neva Rachel (Helt) Gibbs, was born May 24, 1936, in Humeston, Iowa, and passed away January 11, 2012, at Valley View Village in Des Moines.

Pauline grew up in Humeston and was a graduate of Humeston High School Class of 1954. On December 24, 1955, she was united in marriage to Ronald Holden of Osceola, and to this union two daughters, Teresa Louise and Joni Lynn were born. During her lifetime she lived in Humeston, Osceola, Safford, Arizona and Des Moines. On September 13, 1980, she was married to James Williams of Des Moines.

Pauline was employed at the Humeston New Era in Humeston and the Lee Town News in East Des Moines, and was the Humeston correspondent for newspapers in Corydon, Leon, Osceola, and Chariton, and owned and operated a printing shop in Safford. She liked to write and spend many hours researching family and community history. She was known as the “unofficial historian” for Humeston, and tried to keep former residents aware of happenings in their old hometown. She fought and beat breast cancer several years ago and fought to defeat lung cancer in recent years. She enjoyed the hours spent with her family, especially Terri, Joni, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Terri’s death in 1986 was a great loss to her. She was a member of the Humeston Baptist Church in Humeston, and had transferred her membership to Grace Church in Des Moines.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Howard E. and Neva Gibbs; infant sister, Jo Ann; daughter, Terri Fulton; son-in-law, Doug Fulton; husband, Jim Williams; and brother-in-law, Richard Sayre. She is survived by her daughter, Joni Bos and husband Wes; granddaughters, Jennifer Cogdill and husband, Mike, and Melissa Strable and husband, Jack; grandson, Brian Bos; great-granddaughters, Alexandra Davis and Alexuis Bloomer; great-grandsons, Zachary and Jason Bloomer; sister, Patricia Sayre, all of Des Moines; brother, Howard R. “Butch” Gibbs and wife, Susie of Humeston; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, and many wonderful friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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