Pauline Williams
January 11, 2012
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
Kay Hill
01/16/2012
I would like to send my condolences to Pauline's family.
I worked with Pauline at the Lee Town News. Pauline had a great sense of humor and a very pleasant person to be around. I always enjoyed converstions with her. My prayers go out to her family.
Sincerely,
Kay Hill
Lew and Jean Hickok
01/15/2012
We were sorry to hear of Pauline's passing. I enoyed conversing with her on the computer. We kept up on Humeston goings on that way.
Aunt Corky & Uncle Richard Holden
01/14/2012
Joni and all of Pauline's family our prayers and sympathy are with you all at this sad time.
Jackie Moore Goeken
01/14/2012
To the family of Pauline Williams.
Although I never met Pauline, I feel like I know her, because she helped me in so much of my Wayne Co. research esp. on the MOORE family. She mailed me via snail mail and e-mail so many articles, and snippets of history I would never have gotten otherwise. My family history on the Robert Haynes Moore descendants has been en-riched by Pauline. God Bless all of you.
Jackie Moore Goeken
Richard K Ross
01/14/2012
My deepest sympathies to the family of Pauline Williams. Pauline helped me tremendously in my Humeston and Corydon Research over the years. I always looked forward to hearing about what was going on in the Wayne County area and hearing about what Humeston used to be like back in her day. I love history! All of my ancestors lived in the area and may have known Pauline, as she graduated from Humeston High the year I was born. My great-grandmother and grandparents lived in Humeston during the 50's, so they probably knew her well. She will be missed by everyone she come in contact with over the years. I saved all her emails and will forever cherish those bits of Humeston & Corydon history she shared with all of us. God Bless You.
Richard Ross
Dubuque, IA
Lilly Martin
01/14/2012
To Joni and all the family,
I am going to miss dear Pauline. We have corresponded so much since the last 10 years, or so. She helped me with my Greenlee family, which she was from as well.
She was so kind, so good, a true friend who took lots of her time to help me, and far-flung relative. People like Pauline come along few and far between. I have been looking over the various emails she had sent me over the years and I cherish the memories. If any of Pauline's relatives need to know about their own Family History I can send it to you easily via email, please don't hesitate to ask. This is my memorial to Pauline, to keep her research and history going to the next generation.
Deepest Sympathies,
Lilly Martin
Marlys & Vernon Jordan
01/13/2012
We extend our sympathy to you and are saddened at the loss of one so dear. We remember Pauline as a fun-loving person, full of smiles and laughter. She loved her family so very much. May your good memories fill you with love and happiness.
Marlys & Vernon Jordan
Sue Strable
01/13/2012
I didn't know Pauline very long,but she was great neighbor.I enjoyed watching her with her great grandkids.I know they will miss her very much.My thoughts and prayers go out to you.If you need anything let me know.So sorry for your loss.