Rita F. Williams

Rita Fern Williams, 63 of Stevensville, departed from this earthly life on Tuesday, November 11, 2003, after a long illness. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2003, at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home or the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mrs. Williams was born September 11, 1940 in Senath, Missouri the daughter of William ?Riley? and Anna (Dale) Baugher. She married Bill J. Williams on December 21, 1956 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and enjoyed playing golf, bowling and caring for her children and grandchildren. Her family always looked forward to being in her home for a ?Rita Christmas?. She had been active in school and community activities and was once the recipient of the Busy Bee Award for her volunteer work in the community. She was a Past Mother Advisor of Coloma Rainbow Assembly and received Rainbow?s highest honor, the Grand Cross of Color. Survivors include her husband Bill; daughters – Sherry (Tim) Jones of Stevensville, MI, and Jennifer (Pete) Hoffman of Texas Township, MI; grandchildren ? Margaret and Aaron Jones, Isabelle and Victoria Hoffman; two brothers ? W.R. (Bonnie) Baugher of Loudon, TN, and W. Don (Jo) Baugher of Coloma, MI; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings ? Helen Moore, Maxine Gipson, Mary Lois Baugher, Harold Baugher and Paul Baugher.