Jo Williams June 07, 1922 - August 16, 2019

A Love Letter for Our Mom

By Jim Williams

I was asked to write about my mom. I have some training in this regard, but my goodness, how do you begin to put to words a life so extraordinary. And it’s not because she climbed mountains, or cured Polio, or invented sliced bread. No, all she did was meet and marry a handsome fella from Indian Creek who was a great dancer, awesome with numbers, and, well…very fertile.

So, let’s be clear; this is truly a love story, not an obituary.

At the glorious age of 97, Agnes Josephine Williams died peacefully in her room at Salt River Community Care Center of Shelbina on Aug. 16, 2019. With family by her side, it was just as she would want.

And before we go further, please don’t call her Agnes. She never liked that name. Everyone called her Jo.

I think my mom would hate knowing I was writing about how sad I am because she has passed. She’d fret over the tears that I have shed. She’d worry that I was mourning her death instead of celebrating her life. She’d want me to write about how we’re together, all her childrenin one place, talking and laughing and loving one another. This was the music of her life, and she was never happier than when she was surrounded by her family.

But without a doubt, she’d want everyone to know she has been reunited in heaven with ‘Tommy.’

Fact is, you can’t start a story about Jo Williams’s life without mentioningTom Williams. Theirs was a love affair that lasted more than five decades. He wasmany things: A banker and an accountant; a scout leader and a baseball coach; he was religious and hardworking. Mostly, he was our fatherand the love of my mom’s life. And when he died on Nov. 9, 1997, a little of mom died, too.

Understand, he was not just her husband; he was her lover, her best friend and arguably, her soulmate. Mom loved him so much.When he died, we thought her heart would be too broken to survive. But she proved us wrong, as she’s done many times in the more than 20 years since his passing.

Mom loved sports, especially her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. It was never unusual to call heron a summer evening and hear the television blaring with the Cards game. She was as smart as any GM, and grumbled about weak starting pitching or a slumping No. 4 hitter. Dad would have, too.

Mom was legendary for her cooking. She’d be the first to tell you she wasn’t a culinary master, but if you’re fixing to feed a group of 20, she was your go-to gal. I often tell the story of when I was a teenager, coming home late on any given weekend night with a handful of hungry buddies, and mom getting up to make us hamburgers or tenderloins.My friends called her Mamma Mia Williams. Take that, Meryl Streep!

Once, my dad brought home chicken necks to cook for dinner; they were on sale at the C&R for 19 cents a pound. She doctored them up so they were slathered in barbecue sauce, brown and crispy. They were the best chicken necks we’d ever tasted. Thankfully, dad didn’t buy those too often or we would have starved.

Mom lived for her kids: Seven of them. Not enough for a baseball team, but certainly a respectable basketball squad. She lived for her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, 18 and 14, respectively. She rejoiced in our accomplishments, counseled us when we asked, and consoled us when we were sad.When we’d present a question or problem she didn’t have a ready answer for, she would always say: ‘I wish your dad was here. He’d know.’

Mom never understood that she set the bar impossibly high, as moms go. As the years past, we all took joy in her good health, sharp mind and the unconditional love she gave to us. But make no mistake, she made it clear where she wanted to be. ‘I’m coming Tommy!’

My sister told me a story recently about a conversation she had with mom. She knew her time was short, and she was ready.There was no fear of death in her voice, just apprehension as she asked Teresa: ‘Do you think Tommy will recognize me now that I’m so old?’

We all know the answer. Of course he did…she’s the most beautiful girl on heaven’s dance floor.

Wait, I think I see a bright red cardinal flying away from the window outside mom’s room. And guess what, he’s not alone.

We love you, mom…always and forever.

A tree of life

Agnes Josephine “Jo” Williams

Maiden name- Buckman

Birthdate- June 7, 1922

Parents- Alfred Thomas Buckman and Alice Desire Gilchrist- deceased

Husband- Thomas Harold Williams- September 6, 1943 married in Shelbina

Children:

-Michael Thomas (deceased)

-Timothy Martin (Elizabeth Ann) of Vass, North Carolina

-Donald Lee (Barbara) Williams of Columbia, Missouri

-Ted Anthony of Tucson, Arizona

-Teresa Ann of Manhattan, Kansas

-James Leo of Phoenix, Arizona

-Matthew Alan (Carla) of Columbia, Missouri

Grandchildren:

Cynthia Matzat, Christopher Williams, Kevin Williams, Dawn Williams, Gregory Williams, Molly Peterson, Kelly Keogh, Thomas Peterson, Adam Williams, Peter Williams, Sam Williams, Lily Williams, Claire Williams, Annie Williams, Katie Williams, Tommy Williams

Great Grandchildren:

Corey, Faith, Brady, Conner, Walker, Bella, Hector, Tommy, Max, Clare, Lucas, Madeleine, India, Jack and Josephine

Surviving sister- Emma Lou Dimmitt of Shelbina

Preceded in death by:

Parents, husband, Son- Michael Thomas, Grandsons- Nathan and Joshua Williams, Sister- Mary Shulte and husband Lawrence, Brother- Martin Buckman and wife Helen, and George Dimmitt (in-law)

Rosary- Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home

Visitation- Tuesday, August 20, 2019 from 5 to 7pm at funeral home

Funeral/Mass- Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shelbina

Burial- St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Shelbina following mass