Laura Jean Williams

Laura Jean Bone Williams passed away on November 8, 2024. She was born the youngest of four children born to B.D. and Laura Bone, on August 19, 1934, in Paragould, Arkansas. She was the proud valedictorian of her graduating class in 1952, and shortly thereafter, met Ben Williams of Maulden, Arkansas.

Laura and Ben married in 1953, and together had two children, Sandra and Jackson. The family moved to Alamogordo, NM, in 1959, where Ben helped to lay the foundations of the telephone system for 10 years with Southern Bell telephone company. The family then returned to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Throughout her life, Laura's beautiful voice enhanced worship during services at various Southern Baptist churches. In New Mexico and Arkansas, Laura worked periodically as a bookkeeper and a librarian when her children were in the home, and later volunteered at the Northwest Arkansas Children's Center.

Laura was a profoundly intelligent and social woman who developed close-knit circles of friends wherever she lived. Her children recall that if you asked Laura what time it was, she would tell you how to build a clock (and, eventually, what time it was); however, Laura's endearing southern accent always left one with gratitude for the knowledge and journey.

When their children joined the military, Laura and Ben traveled to their children's far-flung posts in such locales as Madrid, Bahrain, and Wales, where Sandra married her husband, Richard Chabot; Laura became the beloved Granny to Heather, Patrick, Rebecca, Yvonne (and husband Vaggos), Steven, Zoe and Harry, and later, several great-grandchildren, including Ayden, Makayla, Hayden, Lily, and Landon. Laura and Ben, together and separately, continued to travel throughout their lives, enjoying the sights of remote countries and the company of new friends wherever they went.

Laura and Ben moved to Bernalillo, New Mexico in 2008 to be closer to their son Jack; Ben passed away shortly thereafter. On her own for the first time, while grieving the loss of her husband of 55 years, Laura flourished with inspiring independence, and her impeccable memory of people and places (and how to get to those places). Laura found great meaning in the ministry of Pastor Si of First Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, attending services and Bible study. She enjoyed attending shows at Popejoy Hall, often with Jack and his wife, Daniele, or with her friends from Alegria and, later, her independent living facility.

In later years, as Laura's independence was slowly diminished by the trappings of advancing age, Laura thoughtfully navigated her final years with the greatest consideration for her children. With heavy hearts, and after 90 meaningful years of joy, prayer, song, chatter, laughter, and quiet moments watching James Garner movies, her family takes comfort in knowing that Laura has been received in the loving arms of her Savior, reunited with family and friends long passed. Laura Williams's memory will be a blessing for all who knew her.

A Memorial Service for Laura will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, 3906 19th Ave SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.