White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Lavon B. Williams, 88 years old, of Edgewood, Iowa, and formerly of Coggon Iowa, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood.  She was born in Edgewood on November 5, 1928, the daughter of Roy and Mary (Jefferson) Thomas.  She attended the Clayton County country schools.  In October of 1948, she and Roy Thomas Atkinson were married.  They later divorced in 1972.  In December of 1987, she and Richard Williams were married in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He preceded her in death.  Mrs. Williams devoted her life to caring for the elderly as a nurse’s aide in area care centers and later, as a private care giver until she retired.  Lavon was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  One of the many highlights in her life was attending a Cubs game in person at Wrigley Field with family.  Spending time with her family and grandkids was her greatest joy.  She also enjoyed embroidery and playing bingo.  She was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Edgewood.

Mrs. Williams is survived by 2 daughters, Sandra (Bill) Merritt of Center Point, Iowa, and Mary (Steve) Ohl of Independence, Iowa, 3 sons, Denny Atkinson of Marshalltown, Iowa, Danny (Donna) Atkinson of Dubuque, Iowa, and Mark (Kathi) Atkinson of Olin, Iowa.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 1 sister, Esther (Dick) Rath of Dubuque, Iowa, and 1 sister-in-law, Blanche Thomas of Strawberry Point, Iowa.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Donald Thomas, 2 sisters, Ella Mae Rankin and Lula Tweed, and 1 half brother, Earl Brandenburg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2017, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, Iowa.  Rev. David Beckman will be the Celebrant.  Burial will be in Cass Township Cemetery in Strawberry Point, Iowa.  Friends may call for visitation from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 19^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Vigil Service begins at 3:30 p.m.