Carol Jeannine Williams, age 92, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at High Point Residence North in Salem, Illinois.

      She was born August 9, 1934, in Rinard, the daughter of Daley and Evelyn (Dulaney) McGrew.  She was united in marriage to Bill Joseph “Joe” Williams on June 28, 1952, in Petersburg, Virginia, and together they shared 63 wedding anniversaries until his passing on April 1, 2016.

      After graduating from Clay City High School and while Joe was serving in the Army, Jeannine began her working career as a secretary at Four Sisters Manufacturing.  She later worked at Spartan Manufacturing.  After her children were born, she went to work in the billing department at Clay County Hospital.  She then worked as a billing clerk and office manager for a doctor’s office in Clay City.  Later, Jeannine was hired by the Department of Agriculture in Louisville, where she continued her career until retiring at the age of 63.  Throughout the years, she was known for her strong work ethic, dependability, and willingness to take on whatever needed to be done.

      Jeannine was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose life was marked by faith, hard work, creativity, and a deep love for her family.  She loved music and often sang to her children, and she treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed naps with her cat, Kit Kat, and her grand-dogs, Parker and Lacy.  Her husband, Joe, knew how much she loved flowers and grew a field of wildflowers.  On his way home from the field, he would often bring her a bouquet of flowers, which he called “Sweet Williams.”

      Jeannine’s faith was an important part of her life.  At the age of 17, while attending Oak Grove Methodist Church, she was baptized.  She later moved with the congregation to the newly built Faith Methodist Church.  When Faith Methodist Church closed its doors, she became a longtime member of the Flora Church of the Nazarene.  She faithfully served her church in many ways, including serving on the church board, preparing meals for church members, and making lap quilts for those who were sick or grieving.  Her acts of service were a quiet and meaningful expression of the care she had for others.

      A remarkably talented artist, Jeannine especially loved working in charcoal and created beautiful pieces through the years.  Her creativity could also be seen in the many things she did at home.  She enjoyed gardening and canning and was a wonderful cook, perhaps best remembered for her fabulous German chocolate cake.

      Jeannine was no stranger to hard work.  She worked alongside Joe on the farm, driving the tractor and hauling beans to the elevator when needed.  Whether she was helping on the farm, tending her garden, preparing food for her family and church, creating a work of art, or sewing a quilt for someone who was hurting, Jeannine gave of herself generously.

      She is survived by her children: Jo Ellen “Jess” Michaels of Flora, Joan (David) Mulvany of Grand Junction, Colorado, Beverly (David) Wood of Flora, and David (Suzette) Williams of Monroe City, Indiana; grandchildren: Daniel (Chris), Gabriel (Jennifer), Megan, Jason, Noah (Deborah), Ryan (Meghan), Erin (Jason), Malerie (Corey), and Blake; great-grandchildren: Ian, Serena, Brianna, Ashton, Madalyn, Gavin, Dylan, Wyatt, Stetson, Oliver, and Ella Rose; great-great-granddaughter: Charlotte; brother: Bob (Lona) McGrew of Flora; brother-in-law: Randy Hudgins of Flora; close friend: Jerry Williams; and sister-at-heart: Ruth Stanford.

      She was preceded in passing by her husband: Joe Williams; an infant child: “Little One”; parents: Daley and Thelma McGrew, and Evelyn and Delbert Walter; paternal grandparents: R.L. and Ela McGrew; maternal grandparents: Charles and Iris Dulaney; parents-in-law: Pearley and Faye Williams; a sister: Sandy Hudgins; and a great-granddaughter: Symphony.  

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Flora Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Jake Phillips officiating.  Interment will follow in Bunker Cemetery, Rinard.  A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the church.  Memorial donations are suggested to the family for the educational benefit of Jeannine’s grandchildren, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com