Williams, Leota Arlene McVey

Leota Arlene McVey Williams, 83, of Higley Mansion Care Center, Cedar Rapids, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. St. Luke's Chaplin Jeremy Hudson will officiate.

Survivors include her husband, Leo L. Williams; a son, Duane A. (Alice) Williams of Piney Flats, Tenn.; four daughters, Diana L. (Jim) Ashley of Cedar Rapids, Dixie M. (Danny) King of Raleigh, N.C., Connie D. (Brian) Walther of Omaha, Neb., and Suzanne D. (Dennis) Knott of Robins; a sister; Virginia McVey-Evans of Davenport; eight grandchildren, Jason S. Williams of Bethesda, Md., Holly B. (Scott) Gard of Vinton, Va., Jim R. Ashley Jr. of Marion, Amy L. (Darryl) High of Cedar Rapids, Kelley C. Walther of Omaha, Neb., Stephanie M. Walther of Lincoln, Neb., Dylan M. Knott of Robins, and Cole J. Knott of Robins; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jack McVey.

Leota was born Nov. 23, 1927, on a family farm, near Center Point, Iowa, the daughter of Clair and Fern McVey. On May 25, 1945, she graduated from Marion High School. She married Leo L. Williams on March 29, 1945, in Marion, during World War II. She was a 40 year member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was active in Ladies Guild and the Sunshine Group.

Leota worked for Western Fraternal Life for 26 years. After retiring, she volunteered at the Hiawatha Elementary School and participated in the Rock & Read Program.

Leota had an abundant faith in God and the love for her family was endless. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, animals, reading poetry, listening to music and collecting shells at the beach. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

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Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or the American Heart Association.