Mrs. Bunice Lorraine Williams Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Bunice Lorraine Williams, 89, of Peoria, IL, her soul ascended to the Lord on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 8:50 am at Unity Point Methodist Hospital. Bunice was born on May 17, 1927 in Brooklyn New York to Joseph H. Clarke and Lillian V. (Smart) Clarke. She was the oldest of three children and the only daughter. She completed her elementary education in Brooklyn and graduated from Girls High school. After high school she worked for awhile at Finlay Strauss Department store, then for well over 20 years at Gimbals Department store as a credit supervisor until they closed. She met and married Clifford Williams on September 9, 1950 from which two sons Clifford George and Allan Bruce were born. She was the president of her tenant association at Sea Park west in Coney Island. While in Brooklyn she was a devoted member of Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, she was their secretary for many years along with a member of its Vestry, warden of the parish treasurer, fundraising chairperson served on the refugee ministry, homeless ministry and many other duties that she enjoyed. Bunice loved to travel especially to Barbados and Trinidad and was involved in many social activities which she help organize such as numerous fundraising bus trips and dances for the church. She encouraged a spirit of curiosity in others to pursue their dreams. In 2010 she moved to Peoria Illinois to be near her son Clifford and his family. In January 2011 she found a new church home and joined St. Paul's Episcopal Church and in no time she was involved in many of their church activities as loaves and Fish St. Martha's Guild, Meditation Group, lesson reader church greeter and was also a part of their search committee and made many many new and dear friends. Bunice was a sweet and loving lady who had a zeal for life and approached everything with excitement. She enjoyed anytime she had the opportunity to spend with family and friends and was the one who kept in touch with the family. Bunice loved her son and grandchildren and great grandson and talked about them all the time. She had a proud West Indian style and always liked to look her best and spoke with a New York and Baja'n accent. Bunice will be profoundly missed. She leaves to celebrate her life her son, Clifford; her granddaughters Alisha, and Janae and their mother, Desiree Boone; her great grandson Landen; nieces, Pamela, Denise and Lorraine; nephews, Elton Cecil and Harold; many devoted cousins, Keitha, Phyllis, Tony, Peter, John, Pam, Adrienne, Delphine, Ernest, Beverly, Carlos, Marva, Mary and Sonia; and a host of friends. Her very dear friends Lillia Frorup,Gwen Walker, Betty Jen Steinbach,& Nancy Perry. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her son, Allan; her brothers, Cecil and Irvine; and Justin Williams whom she considered her grandson. Funeral services will be held at 9 am on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1227 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216. A visitation will be held from 7:30 am to 9 am. Fathers Damus and Mose will officiate. Bunice will be laid to rest at Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at simonsmortuary.com. Arrangements in New York will be handled by R. Steve Lagall Funeral Home at 169 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11225.

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Mrs. Bunice Lorraine Williams

May 17, 1927 - January 30, 2017