Joanne "Ms. Lady J" Williams' Obituary
Joanne “Ms. Lady J” Williams was born on April 29, 1953 to Leroy and Constance (Smith) Hughes in Muskegon. She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1971, where she played basketball. Joanne attended Grand Rapids Community College and worked at Keeler Brass while attending college. She continued her career at Howmet until her retirement. She married George Williams III in February 1973. Joanne passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. She was a lifelong member of the Queen Esther Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully in the Sunday school and the missionary departments, until her health started to decline. Joanne leaves to cherish her memory 2 sons, Abyllis Sr. (Leanne) and Avery (Stacey) Williams both of Muskegon; 1 daughter, Constance Williams of Lawrence, PA; the love of her life, George Williams III; 11 grandchildren, Abyllis Jr., Aireonna, Ashleigh, Zebadiah, Taviah, Mackiel and Ethen Williams, Jayden Szabo, Melana and Jayla Johnson, Anthony Patino, and 1 grandchild, Kamila expected on February 27, 2021. Ms. Lady J had already decided the baby was going to be Kamalita to her. 4 great-grandchildren, Carter Perez, Eli Williams, Tyrese Jr and Tyson Dean-Lewis. She also leaves 1 brother, Melvin (Lela) Hughes of Detroit; 6 sisters, Retha Hoskin of Muskegon, Linda Neal of Detroit, MI, Della Staples of Milwaukee, WI, Fannie (Ernest) Marbra and Drucella Smith of Banning, CA, Maple Hughes of Los Angeles, CA; a special brother-in-law, William McBride of Muskegon; sister-in-law, Mary Hughes of Grand Rapids, MI; God mother, Norma Sutphen of Muskegon; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; 2 very special friends, Ophelia Chilton and Phyliss Johnson; Queen Esther church family; and many friends. Joanne was preceded in death by her son, George IV; parents, Constance and Leroy Hughes Sr.; maternal grandparents, George and Tina Smith; paternal grandparents, Charlie and Fannie Hughes; 2 sisters, Mary Ann Foster, Patricia McBride; and 1 brother, Leroy Hughes Jr. A limited visitation of 25 people at a time will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 5-8:00 PM at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. A private family service will be held. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Joanne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joanne?
Share a story where Joanne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joanne you’ll never forget.
How did Joanne make you smile?