Service Details
A Homegoing Celebration will be held for Magnolia at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:00AM. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery.
Magnolia Williams, the beloved matriarch of our family, was born on December 27, 1930, in New Albany, Mississippi, to the late Ira Lee and Mary Ella Barker (née Mosley). She was united in marriage to Willie Lee Williams and was a longtime resident of the Racine community, where she stood as a pillar of love, strength, and unity within her family.
Magnolia was known for her kind and giving spirit and for the deep love she held for her family. She was especially passionate about bringing family members together and was steadfast in organizing gatherings and events that strengthened family bonds. She was also an excellent cook, whose meals brought comfort and joy to many. Magnolia possessed a remarkably sharp memory and an extensive knowledge of her family’s history, which she generously shared with others. Resourceful and wise, she carried a treasured wealth of family knowledge that she preserved and passed down with pride. She enjoyed phone conversations with family and friends; listening to gospel music and “oldies but goodies”; watching her favorite soap operas; playing card games; and—most of all—spending time with her family. Family gatherings brought her the greatest joy. Magnolia was employed by West View Nursing Home and Lincoln Lutheran. She also worked at the restaurant owned by her sister Mattie (Dhameera) and her husband, Edward (Qadeem).
Magnolia Williams departed this life on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the glorious age of 95. Her legacy of love, unity, and devotion to family will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children: Joyce Long, Angela Gentry (Billy), Harold Williams, Michael Williams, and Rondale Williams; her daughters-in-law, Ezzie Williams and Verletha Williams; her grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Mable Hendrix and Emma Barker of Racine; Shelia Nelson-Sudmine of East St. Louis, Illinois; and Pearl Lee of Illinois; her sister-in-law, Beverly (Connie) Barker of Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special Friends: Elouise Stacy, Annie Ruth Daniels, Minnie Johnson, Stacy Lake, Mildred Stinson, Mary Ann Meyers and Pastor Ernest Ni’A, for whom she had high regard and respect. Special caregivers: Minnie Johnson, Julie McClain, Tina Jones and Talitha Burnett. Magnolia was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Ollie Shareef; her daughter, Judy Williams; her son, Denver Williams; her granddaughter, Clarissa Williams-Reed; her son-in-law, Enoch Long; her sisters, Mary Lee Jamison, Dhameera Shakoor, and Ruth Hazel Barker; her step-sister, Ollie Mae; her brothers, Joe Barker and Johnny Barker; her stepbrothers, Willie Earl and Arthur Lee Towner; and her brothers-in-law, Freddie Jamison, Eddie Hendrix, and Qadeem Shakoor I.
Acknowledgement: The family of Magnolia Williams would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Oak Ridge Care Center for the care rendered to our loved one.
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