Barbara Narcissus Williams, 81, of Clinton, Iowa passed away at Mercy Medical Center - North on Tuesday March 8, 2016. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing Drive). Burial will take place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara was born May 4, 1934 in Mexia, Texas the daughter of Arthur and Artelia (Chatman) Culberson. She was a graduate of Wortham High School in Wortham, Texas. She would further her education, graduating from Prairie View University in Hempstead, Texas with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. She then graduated from Northern Illinois University, acquiring a teaching degree in special education.
Barbara was united in marriage to Y. Joe Williams on February 15, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois.
Barbara was a long-time member of the First United Presbyterian Church. She was a special education teacher, teaching in Massachusetts and for the Clinton School System for 25+ years, until her retirement in 1996. In parallel to teaching, she also owned and operated the Professional Tutoring Center in Clinton, located in the Howes building, for 16 years. Additionally, she published several children's mathematics work books.
Barbara loved walking with her husband on the riverfront, taking in the sites of nature. She also loved creating decorative gift cards and giving them to folks in nursing homes, others who needed encouragement or going through difficult times or just simply needing a "thank you". She also loved making decorative paper crafts. Her life's passion was always teaching and educating her students and fellow teachers. She loved cooking for her entire family which was another way of showing her never-ending love for her family, especially her grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by her husband Y. Joe Williams of Clinton, IA; two sons - Antonio Williams of Chicago, IL and Anthony (Akiko) Williams of Torrance, CA; one daughter - Angela Williams Avila of Pasadena, CA; two grandchildren - Otis of Tokyo, Japan and Minami of Torrance, CA.; one sister - Artiemesie (Clarence) Wright of Temple Hill, Maryland; with many nieces, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and other family members.
Memorials made can be directed to the American Cancer Society, Discovery Center or the First United Presbyterian Church.

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