Carol Mary Louise Williams

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother, Carol Williams, who left us on July 30, 2024, at the age of 84. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in May of this year and God took her home two months later. She chose quality of life over quantity in days and cherished every final moment smiling, laughing, and loving family and friends who came to visit. Her strength and courage throughout her illness is a testament to her unwavering faith in “the big man upstairs” as she fought to stay with us all for as long as her body and mind would allow.

The writer of this obituary is her third child, Rhonda. I am asking for grace in the late posting of our Momma’s obituary. Every time I tried to write this; I just couldn’t fully complete it. Maybe completing her obituary meant I was done grieving. Maybe if I complete this, she will leave my heart and mind. I know this sounds insane, but I wanted to create something in her obituary that would live on, like we wish our Momma would.

I am not a traditional daughter, so this is not a traditional obituary. I hope you will find joy in reading and looking at the pictures we added as you remember our beautiful Momma. May she live on in the smiles of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Momma was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and this song by Lauren Daigle, ‘Thank God I Do’ tells the story of our mom’s faith journey with Jesus Christ until our Lord and Savior took her home:

I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You

I’d probably fall off the edge

I don’t know where I’d go if You ever let go

So, keep me held in Your hands

I’ve started breathing

The weight is lifted here

With You, it’s easy

My head is finally clear

There’s nothing missing

When You are by my side

I took the long road

But now I realize

I’m home with You, I’m home

I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You

Thank God, I do

Carol was born in Yakima, WA on January 22, 1940 to Philomene and Philip LaFramboise. She was the oldest daughter of a large Catholic family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Philomene LaFramboise; siblings: Philip ‘Flip’ LaFramboise, Beverly Babbitt, Marcel LaFramboise, Linda Wallace, Diann Martin, Gregory LaFramboise, Ronald LaFramboise, Donald LaFramboise, Donald LaFramboise II; and her granddaughter, Savannah Kopa. She was the eldest daughter and provided love and care for her younger siblings.

Carol was mother to Renee, Corey, Rhonda, and Diann. She raised her children with love and devotion in Chehalis with her husband Gary Williams. She was also a “mom” to many of her adopted-in-love daughters, namely Alicia Hulse, Tiana Tugwell, and Shavon Naumann.

She was most proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

As a frozen food processor at National Frozen Foods for over 30 years, she was known for speaking her mind. She enjoyed laughing and joking with her coworkers, who called her “Mouth.” She spoke fondly of all her friends and their families. She looked forward to lunches and movies with Mary. We can’t thank Mary enough for providing love and care for Momma’s cat, Shikira, after mom’s death. We are grateful for all the supportive phone calls and visits from friends, neighbors, and family.

Momma had a passion for all of God’s creation: babies, people, relationships, animals, sunrises, sunsets, mountains, and oceans. She found beauty in life’s simple moments and encouraged us to do the same. She enjoyed listening to music and would say “I have an eclectic taste” as she smiled and tapped her leg along with the beat. Some of her children’s favorite memories include sharing her love of music, songs, movies, and books. Every Christmas morning, her children listened to Elvis while unwrapping gifts. It was always an Elvis Christmas.

She was a wonderful mother who offered support, wisdom, and abundant love. She brought immeasurable joy and light into our lives with her kind heart, radiant smile, and boundless curiosity. The depth of love she felt for her family was immeasurable. A friend to many, she offered to care for grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members. She welcomed everyone into her “casa,” some would even stay to live for short periods of time.

Momma suffered from arthritis and her little hands were in pain most of the time. That didn’t stop her from cooking and baking the most delicious apple pies. Always cooking and baking like she still had a large Catholic family to feed. She used those tiny fragile but beautiful hands to hold as many babies as she could.

She leaves a legacy of kindness, strength, fortitude, but one of the greatest examples she gave her children was her work ethic. Day in and day out she worked to keep food on the table and provide for her children. She was selfless, never buying anything for herself unless her children were taken care of first. She had a gentle strength, touching the lives of everyone she encountered with an unforgettable resiliency.

She is survived by her siblings: Anthony ‘Tony’ LaFramboise, Shirley Schmidt, Larry LaFramboise, Charlotte Fetters, Therese Grant, Janice LaBrie, and Patricia LaFramboise; children: Renee Senter, Corey Williams, Rhonda LaFramboise, and Diann Williams; grandchildren: Kimberly Senter, Lindsey Senter, Kyle Stockdale, Kayla Adams, Ali Gift, Lexi Reynolds, Eli Williams, Sunne Williams, Carlos Correa, and Jesse James; great grandchildren: Ashton Kohlmeier, Kennedy Stockdale, Sawyer Stockdale, Rory Stockdale, Frankie Stockdale, Indy Dickinson, and Theodora ‘Teddy’ Gift; nieces/nephews; and her kitty, Shikira. She is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and friends who felt her warmth and generosity.

Thank you to all our family members who donated money to help pay for the cost of mom’s home until we could sell it. We so appreciate the thoughtfulness and for providing some breathing room for us to take care of mom’s belongings. For those who are moved to honor our Momma, donations to Seattle Children's Hospital in remembrance of Savannah Kopa will be accepted. Momma spent many hours at SCH with Savannah while providing support for Rhonda and her children through Savannah’s many illnesses and surgeries.

Momma requested to have her ashes spread at sunset near Redondo Beach in Des Moines, WA. Her first grandchild, Savannah Kopa’s ashes are spread there as well, and Momma wanted to be near Savannah in life and in death. She declined to have a formal memorial service; therefore, we are honoring her wishes. She always told us that she “lived a good life and that God was good to her.” She wanted us to celebrate her life, not mourn her death. Momma’s children and family members spread her ashes on Savannah’s birthday 9/1/2024 near Redondo Beach and near Tacoma waterfront. You are welcome to go visit her and Savannah anytime. They will know you are there and may provide comfort to you while looking out at beautiful Puget Sound.

The family would like to thank everyone that made time to visit with Momma before she passed. Once she was diagnosed on May 14, God provided her with the strength and resilience to stay with us so that as many people could visit with her as possible before she went Home. Many family members made time to fly in from out-of-state to visit and we are so very thankful and appreciative for the thoughtfulness, love, and support you provided.

Momma, we will continue to honor your legacy by living our lives grounded in God’s word. You have touched so many lives and although our hearts our broken, we know you are at peace and finally Home. Run, laugh, sing, and play with Vanna in a body free of disease. We know you are watching over us as you always have.