Patricia Williams (64) of Brownstown

Patricia Williams, 64, of Brownstown, died at 6:02 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. 

Let me tell you the wonderful story of Patricia Helen (Ulrich) Williams:

Her story begins on October 18th 1959, Bobby Darin was #1 on the U.S. and British radio charts with “Mack the Knife” (I had to look it up too.) The Los Angeles Dodgers were enjoying their week off after beating the Chicago White Sox, 4-2. In a hospital in the middle of Cincinnati, Ohio, a healthy beautiful blonde curly-headed baby girl with bright green eyes was born. Her Father Earl Arthur Ulrich Jr. and her Mother Patricia Ann (McNeely). She was the middle daughter, of this couple. A few short years later in 1963, her mother married the man that she called dad for the next 19 years, Jess Frank Vincent Sr. They left the big city of Cincinnati when she was in 3rd grade and moved the family to a little town in the middle of nowhere, Beecher City, IL. There were no bakeries, no Finley markets, and no butcher shops on the corner. The biggest store around was K-Mart which was 20 minutes away. She was a good student and helped others whenever she could. She always stuck up for the underdog. In school, she worked at a restaurant named Franciees, and after graduation, in 1978 she moved to Effingham and worked different jobs. She went on a double date with her sister, and the cousin of her date became the man she would later marry in September of that same year and celebrate almost 46 years of marriage to Rick Williams. After the wonderful blizzard of 79, They welcomed their first daughter, Jessica, then in 81’ a second daughter Jamie, and then in 84’ their third daughter Jennifer. She had worked at Vandalia Corrections and miscellaneous restaurant jobs. She enjoyed having cookouts with friends and families, some of these events turned into an all-out war, from water fights that started from a glass of water being tossed out a window. To a food fight with her little brother that ended with her mother having a purse filled with macaroni salad. She was very competitive no matter the event, from playing softball to horseshoes to playing marble and card games. Family was always important and she instilled this early on in her children and teaching them that you didn’t have to be blood to be family. (That is how so many strays were brought to the house later.)

She later worked at John Crane, on midnights and between the two of them working a lot of overtime and side jobs, they were able to buy their home that they shared for 30+ years. This is where our story almost comes to a stop. Summer of 1990, she caught Pneumococcal pneumonia, The doctors told her family they would be lucky to have her another couple of years, and anything after that day was a blessing.

So, for the next 34 years, her family received many blessings, she was able to see all of her daughters graduate High School, and go into various fields. She volunteered for S.A.F.E. on weekends and enjoyed being there for someone who just needed to talk. She was on the Pilcher Cemetery board as secretary for many years. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Stars since 1978. Member of Four Mile Christian Church for over 20 years. She volunteered with the Brownstown Library fundraising, and so many other things in the community, she was able to watch Jamie marry her High School Sweetheart Eric Ward, in 2004, doing all the wedding decorations and planning with her dearest Friend Robin, in only a month, because, who doesn’t love a good challenge? Jennifer was able to find her husband Kevin Golden making donuts in ’06 After he made sure she could cook, they eloped in 2020, so Kevin could have his very own stocking at Christmas, she did a lot of praying for Jessica because she knew God had a man for her and finally with enough prayer, Pattie was there to see her husband TJ Fenton propose to her at the butterfly house and did commentary as she recorded the video in ’17. She later went with them on their Honeymoon to Niagara Falls. She hosted The Williams Fall Festival for over 20 years, having a safe trick-or Treat for kids, The costumes she came up with are what drew people to the parties. Fall was her time of year, she loved going to Cracker Barrel and seeing the Halloween decorations and all the Christmas decorations. She was very active in her grandchildren's lives. Her greatest joy was being Nana. She loved filling 3 pews at Four Mile Christian Church, with her family. She loved God, her Family, her pets, and life in general. She was well respected, a known strong Christian woman who would pray for anyone with anyone and reminded her grandbabies to pray twice as hard for their enemies.

She will be greatly missed by her husband Rick, her 3 beautiful daughters Jessica (TJ) Fenton of Brownstown, Jamie (Eric) Ward of Vandalia, Jennifer (Kevin) Golden of Salem and her adopted son, Arturo “Jorge” Cota of Cabo San Lucas Mexico (her only exchange student because he made her promise to not have another) Sisters Ruthann Pimentel, Marilynn (Ron)Finke, In -Laws, Virgil (Faye) Williams, Dave (Bobbye) Williams, Crystal (Kenny) Lape. She will be lovingly remembered by Her Many Grandbabies, Ricky (fiancé Cassidy) Hipsher, Allysin Ward, Riely Ward, Delaynee Ward, Aden Lash, Alayna Golden, Lucian Golden, Ivy Golden, Taylor (Grant) Montgomery, Madison Golden, Makayla Golden, Rebecca Fenton, Alex (Kyle) Trusty, Aliya (fiancé Brandon) Pruett, and Aurora Davis, and Lilly Jackson. Many Nieces and Nephews. She will live on through stories and Pattie Cam’s for her great-grandbabies Franklin, Briar, Elli, Olivia, Declyn, and 2 more due in September.

She was a God-loving woman that Loved so many who came in her door, some never knew her name other than it was Nana. Traveling with her girls, she enjoyed being outdoors when she could be, getting lost with Robin in the Yellow Woods mushroom hunting. If her story had been cut short in 1990, the things that she would have missed and oh how the outcome would have changed for her family. At the beginning of 24’ she told us to trust God, always put him first, and love one another. To take care of yourself and those that cannot take care of themselves. She Loves everyone, and GO TO CHURCH

Patricia “Pattie” Williams's story ended on August 14th at 6:02 a.m. at her home surrounded by her family, and pets. With Meteor showers and Rainbow sending her on her way. She knew that she was loved by so many here, but it was time for her to Be with our Lord and Savior.

She is proceeded in death by all her parents, infant sister Sandra Vincent, brother Jess Frank Vincent Jr. In-Laws, Ellen and Denny Hunter, Ernie Williams, Mickey Williams and Boomer Pimentel.

As per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown with Wes Bell officiating and with Eastern Star services beginning at the start of the service.  Burial of ashes will follow at Pilcher Cemetery, rural Brownstown.  A visitation will be held two hours prior to service time. Memorials may be made to Pilcher Cemetery or Shriner’sChildren’s Hospital.  Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.