Jewel Bessie Williams, daughter of the late Edward Franklin and Malinda Mae Smith Niswonger, was born in Clay County, Arkansas on February 19, 1927, and passed away at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston on May 3, 2018, at the age of 91 years, 2 months and 14 days.

Mrs. Williams had lived in the Catron and Lilbourn area most of her life. She was a member of the Catron Baptist Church in Catron. She enjoyed .

On December 12, 1948, she was married to Vearl Lee Williams in Bloomfield, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 21, 1990.

Surviving are four daughters, Malinda Lawson of Howardville, Betty Williams of Lilbourn, Bonnie Williams of Marston, Karen Harding of New Port News, Virginia; six sons, Billy Williams of Sikeston, Earl Williams of Tampa, Florida, Freddie Williams of Marston, Michael Williams of Kewanee, Tommy Williams of Catron; numerous grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; numerous great great grandchildren; one brother, Curtis Niswonger. Other family and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by sons, Kenneth, Curtis and Johnny Williams; and daughter, Brenda Williams; siblings, Ivie, Ralph, Irine and Billy J. Niswonger.

Visitation was held on Monday, May 7 , 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. Travis Lambert of Lilbourn, Missouri officiating.

Interment followed at the Mounds Cemetery near New Madrid, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.