Reba Lucille Williams

Reba Lucille Williams, 84, of Pace, Florida, died surrounded by family on September 7, 2019, following her valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s. Reba was born September 8, 1934 in Evansville, Arkansas to Eula May and Robert Elbridge Dunagan. She spent her early childhood on Hale Mountain in Morrow, Arkansas. Reba graduated from Lincoln high school in Lincoln, Arkansas in 1953. Before moving to Pace, Reba and her husband of 38 years, Kenneth G. Williams, Sr., were longstanding residents of Overland Park, Kansas.

Within 14 days of graduating from high school, Reba moved to the Johnson County, Kansas where she became employed as the office manager for Prudential insurance in their national headquarters. Reba held various corporate management positions while working for Prudential. For a period of several years, Reba also played semiprofessional basketball for a women’s team based in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1970, Reba transitioned from the insurance industry to the printing industry where she initially worked as the supervisor of proofreaders and in production management. At the time of her retirement from the printing industry in 1995, Reba worked in the areas of both customer service and quality assurance.

Reba was a lifelong advocate of neighborhood conservation, beautification and improvement. From 1996 to 2001, Reba served as the Chairman of the Neighborhood Executive Committee for the City of Overland Park Neighborhood Conservation Program, representing 25 residential neighborhoods in Overland Park. In November of 1998, Reba completed all the requirements of the Senior Leadership Program of Johnson County.

In February of 2000, Reba received from the Greater Kansas City Alliance the “Neighborhood Hero Award” for “giving selflessly to the betterment of [her] neighborhood and community.” Also in February of 2000, Reba received a Certificate of Appreciation for her “service and commitment to [her] neighborhood group and the City of Overland Park” from Mayor Ed Eilert. In January of 2001, Reba received the “Neighborhood Leadership Certificate” for her “service as a neighborhood leader” in the City’s Conservation Program.

Reba also served as the Chair of the Cunningham Heights Neighborhood Association of Overland Park from 1995 through 2000. Her work on behalf of the Association included publication of a newsletter, obtaining grants for her neighborhood, campaigning for street and park improvements, and appearing at public hearings to secure awareness and funding for the Association.

In 2002, Reba completed the certification and training necessary to become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team of the Overland Park Fire Department.

From 2003 through 2015, Reba served as a volunteer on the City of Overland Park Citizens Advisory Council on Parks and Recreation. Reba was also honored by the then Mayor of Overland Park for her work on the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the City of Overland Park in 2010 for “her devotion, time, energy, creativity, and teamwork” in making the celebration an outstanding success. Mayor Carl Gerlach noted that “the results of [her] work will serve as a model for other communities to consider when contemplating ways to honor and celebrate achievements and milestones.”

Reba was physically fit and active all her life. In addition to playing basketball, Reba also enjoyed bowling and earned many trophies over the years that she participated in league bowling.

Reba was a friend to all she met and encountered in life. She loved the Lord, her Family, Kansas State football and basketball, her neighbors, her community, nature, travel, and the company of good friends.

Reba was preceded in death by her parents Eula May and Robert Dunagan, and several of her siblings including Maxine, Paulene, Jean, Turner, Tom, Irene, and Wilma. Reba is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth G. Williams, Sr.; her sister Clara Ward; her children, Michael Roberts (Wife Carol) of Kansas City, Kansas; Phillip Roberts (Wife Ashley Barkocy) of Destin, Florida; Shaun Roberts (Fiancée Hope Parker) of Lenexa, Kansas; her stepchildren Kenneth G Williams, Jr. (Becky Jo) of Lisbon, North Dakota; Shari Holcomb (Fiancée George Andrews) of Eclectic, Alabama; and Jeffrey Williams (Wife Allison Hunnicutt) of Pace, Florida; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A service, officiated by Reverend Michelle White, honoring Reba will be held on September 12, 2019 at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway #90e, Pensacola, Florida 32503, Telephone (850) 432-7805, www.dignitymemorial.com with interment and burial of Reba immediately following at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida 32508. A Reception immediately following the burial will occur at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.

The Family expressed deep appreciation to Reba’s Caregivers and the nurses from Covenant Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 4300 Bayou Boulevard, Suite #12, Pensacola, Florida 32503 or at www.alz.org as an honor or memorial gift on behalf of Reba Williams.