Dorothy Iola Allen Williams

Dorothy “Iola” Allen Williams, 100, of Lynchburg was called home to be with her Lord on May 7, 2012. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends, who loved her dearly. Born on May 12, 1911 in Lynchburg, she was a daughter of the late Emmett R. Allen Sr. and Annie White Allen Purvis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank F. Williams Sr., son, Frank F. Williams Jr., sister, Hilma A. Williams Chancellor, and brother, Emmett R. Allen Jr. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. Those left to cherish her memory are her two granddaughters, Sherry W. Hall and husband, Dennis and Julie A. Williams, who she thought were the best granddaughters in the world; three great-grandsons, Christopher Crickenberger and wife Candi, Nicholas Crickenberger and wife, Cindy, and Jeffery Crickenberger and wife Christal; five great-great grandsons, Alex, Will, Cole, Owen and Titus Crickenberger, two great-great granddaughters, Lauren and Sarah Crickenberger, step great-great granddaughter, Jasmine Mann, two step-grandsons, Danny and Kevin Arthur, and two step-granddaughter, Dottie Arthur and friend Ed and Dana Austin and husband J.B. and special friends Liz Howard, Nancy Elam, Lel Brownfield, Vivian G. Dalton, who was like a daughter to her, her little Chihuahua, Heidi, and numerous other family and friends who were special to her. Iola was a devoted Christian and lifelong member of Park View United Methodist Church, presently Christ Community Fellowship Church and she loved her church and its members. She worked with children for over 35 years as a Sunday school teacher. She also worked with the missionary work and joy group. Iola worked at N&W Industries for 41 years and Courtland for over 30 years before retiring. She enjoyed life, people, her dog, gardening and working her puzzle books. She never met a stranger and was easy to become friends with. Most people knew her as “Grandma” The family will receive family and friends from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2012 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel. A funeral service to celebrate Mrs. Williams life will be conducted on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Doug Pillow and Rev. Charles Schooler. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the Lynchburg Humane Society, 3305 Naval Reserve Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501, or the Patrick Henry’s Boys and Girls Home, 860 Red Hill Road, P.O.Box 1398, Brookneal, VA 24528. The family would like to specially thank Centra Hospice, the Lynchburg General Hospital nurses and CNA’s for room N242, Lel Brownfield, Mary Bolles, Nancy Elam and Wendy Self for the compassion, special care and support they gave her after her recent stroke, in addition to all those who have cared for her the past six years after her first stroke. After the service Saturday, the family will receive friends at the residence of Iola’s granddaughter, Julie Williams.