Everista Williams

EVERISTA WILLIAMS

Cedar Rapids

Everista Mary "Evie" Williams, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Living Center West. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 15, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, with a rosary at 3:30 p.m., at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Those left to cherish Evie's memory are her eight children, Mary Lou (Michael) Vavroch of Elberon, Joseph Williams of Cedar Rapids, William (LaRae) Williams of Glendale, Ariz., Theresa (Harry) Roberts of Marion, Carol (Mike) Sacora of Cedar Rapids, Kathy (Tom) Carfrae of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Mary) Williams of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mark (Karri) Williams of Orion, Ill.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura (Dave) Lambrecht, Leslie (Jeff Wenk) Bileth, Jon (Teri) Rstom, Jake (Marshel) Williams, Jason (Brandy) Williams, Jamie (Raul) Vargas, Jennifer (David) West, Wendy Roberts, Gena (Shawn) Steele, Dan (Brandy) Zimmerman, Rachel and Brett Zimmerman, Nick (Holly) Carfrae, Abbey (Matt) Swenson, Taylor (Brittany) Williams, Morgan Williams, Madison (Laura Whitney) Williams, Stratton Williams and Kiley Williams; stepgrandchildren, Olivia (Dan Squires) Vavroch, Ryan (Allison) Vavroch, Mick and Kaitlyn Exbom, Josh Sacora and Jen (Tom Blank) Sacora; 32 great- grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Nehl and Mary Ann Bollman; and sister-in-law, Jean Hyke.

Evie was born in Lourdes, Iowa, on Aug. 23, 1921, to Adolph and Mildred Marik Hyke. She was named after her father's favorite teacher, Sister Mary Everista. On May 21, 1946, Evie was united in marriage to William W. Williams at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes. He preceded her in death on June 27, 1963, leaving Evie a widow at the age of 41 with eight children ages 3 to 16.

Evie enjoyed working in her garden, attending sports events of her children, embroidering, all TV sports, and playing cards with her grandchildren. In her earlier years she enjoyed working at St. Matthew's School.

Evie was a devout Roman Catholic, often walking to daily Mass. She had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the rosary and to St. Therese of the Little Flower and always was overjoyed when she saw the sign of the promised roses.

She had a special way of making everyone feel like they were her favorite! In more recent years, she lost her eyesight and hearing and although confined to a wheelchair, she never complained; the rosary beads just moved faster in her frail hands.

Evie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, two sisters, and a grandson, Michael Joseph Williams.

A very special thank you to our brother, Joe. He became head of the family at age 14 at Dad's passing and Mom's caretaker in later years. In recent years, Joe became Mom's ears and eyes, caring for her with unfailing devotion.

Thank you to everyone at Living Center West for the wonderful care and love they gave our mom.

We love you so much Mom – you were ALWAYS "the wind beneath our wings."