Erma Ann (Whitaker) Williams, age 88, of Eldon, died Tuesday, January 24, 2006, at University Hospital in Columbia. She was born in Brays, Missouri in Miller County, on January 2, 1918, a daughter of the late Thomas Benton and Odessa Dakota (Humphrey) Whitaker. In 1938, in Eminence, Missouri she was married to Laird Davis Williams, who preceded her in death in 1963.

Erma was a member of the Eastern Star and Ninth Street Christian Church in Eldon. She was active in her church and community. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, collecting dolls and was a talented painter. At the age of 88 she was still painting. She was also very dedicated to her family and friends.

Those who survive her include: one daughter, Dessa LaVange Boone and husband Jack of Overland Park, Kansas; one daughter-in-law, Judith Ann Williams of Topeka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Bradley Davis, Kristina, Tammy, Todd and Jeffrey Williams, Rachel Elizabeth Sexton and James Boone; nine great grandchildren; three sisters, Velma Veasman, Edith Duckworth and Gladys Slone and two brothers, Archie and Bud Whitaker.

Two sons, Kaye Davis Williams and Laird Don Williams, two sisters, Lennie Thompson and Leila Jones and one brother, Calvin Whitaker also preceded her in death.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, at Ninth Street Christian Church in Eldon. Pastor Tom Farrington will officiate. Interment will be in Union Cemetery near Iberia.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Eldon Senior Center or Relay for Life of Miller County.