Raye Williams

After graduating from Columbia High School, she met and married Rudy Williams. It was a whirlwind courtship. They had known each other through mutual friends, and after one date they eloped to Blackshear, Georgia and were married. That marriage has lasted almost 80 years! They had three children, Linda, Donna and Steve.

Raye was employed by State Farm Insurance Company in Jacksonville, Florida for 35 years. She was an underwriting specialist upon her retirement at age 62. She was highly respected by her co-workers and management. After retiring, she and her husband did extensive traveling going to every state in the United States including Alaska, Hawaii and Canada.

Her interests included; fishing, playing cards and games, puzzles and entertaining family and friends. They lived on Crescent Lake in Crescent City for a number of years where her love of fishing was enjoyed.

She and her husband, Rudy were active members in their church and that is what brought them back to Jacksonville from Crescent City. They were traveling 160 miles round trip each Sunday to drive to Jacksonville to attend church. After many years of membership at Christ’s Church in Mandarin they began attending Fruit Cove Baptist Church where they have been active members.

Raye’s love of people was well known. She never met a stranger and she welcomed everyone into her home. She loved to cook and she was an excellent cook. Birthdays, anniversaries, and the holidays were always special to her and each one was celebrated with pride and love. Raye was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, brother, daughter (Donna Yeomans) and grandson (Andy Yeomans).

She is survived by her loving husband, Rudy Williams of Mandarin, Florida; children, Linda Cribbs of St. George, Georgia, Steve Williams (Jan) of Orlando, Florida. There are 3 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, along with several extended family members and friends.

A visitation for Raye will be held Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Rd 13 N, St. Johns, FL 32259. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from 11:00AM to 12:00PM, 501 State Rd 13 N, St. Johns, FL 32259. A committal service will occur Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel & Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl 32207.