Cornilus Williams

Cornilus "Mrs. Pete" Phifer Williams, 83, of Cape Girardeau departed this life Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born Nov. 20, 1924, in Lula, Miss., to the late Freeman Phifer Sr. and Mary Underwood Phifer. She was united in marriage to Osie Williams Jan. 13, 1939.

Their family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1956. Osie and Cornilus Williams were blessed to have brought into this world 17 children.

Mrs. Williams leaves to cherish her memory seven sons, James (Glenda) Williams, Lee Williams, David Williams, and Frank Williams all of Cape Girardeau, Robert D. Williams of St. Louis, Charles L. Williams of Fairview Heights, Ill., and Osie Williams Jr. of Sparta, Ill.

Also eight daughters, Hattie M. (Poochie) Baker, Cornelia (Mop) Williams, Carolyn Williams, and Susan B. (Anthony) Williams, all of Cape Girardeau, Mary K. Williams of St. Louis, Viola Garner of Fairview Heights, Eddie Mae Whitaker and Marilyn (the Rev. Ervin) Williams of Champaign, Ill.; 36 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and five great-great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, a daughter, her parents and all of her siblings.

Cornilus Phifer confessed a faith in Christ early in life while living in Mississippi. She placed her membership at Greater Dimension Church, where she was one of the church mothers until she went home. Cornilus Williams was the matriarch of five generations of women.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home, and from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at Greater Dimension Church.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. William Bird officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.