JoAnn (Harris) Williams was born December 29th, 1933, in Lone Chimney, Oklahoma to Ben and Ethel (Young) Harris. She passed away on Friday, November 21st, 2025, at Clarehouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She started her schooling in Lone Chimney until later moving to Cushing where she graduated from Cushing High School in 1952. After finishing school, she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone, as a switchboard operator. Where she spent many years and made lifelong friends.
She later met Bill Williams, and they married in 1961. Together they raised four children who remained the center of her life. Cheri, Danny, Nancy, and Jimmy. They each brought her pride and purpose, and she loved being their mother more than anything. JoAnn enjoyed many simple things in life. She loved watching her soap operas and the Atlanta Braves and rarely missed a game. She was happiest in the kitchen, and she cooked with a kind of love that her family will never forget. The holidays were always her favorite time of year because it meant having everyone together. She also kept the radio in the kitchen playing with her favorite old country music, filling her home with songs she knew by heart. She loved attending church with the family and was a long-time member of Oak Street Baptist Church, where her uncle (Bud) Waldo Young was the pastor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ethel Harris, her husband, Bill Williams, her brothers, Gene and Stanley Harris, and her granddaughter, Kayla Poyner.
She is survived by her children, Cheri Sovia of Cushing, Oklahoma, Danny Williams and his wife, Joni of Cushing, Oklahoma, Nancy and Jeff Poyner of Cushing, Oklahoma, and Jimmy Williams of Cushing, Oklahoma.
She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Josh Sovia of Columbus, Kansas, Nikki Sovia and partner, Andy of Cushing, Oklahoma, Kevin Williams and Acacia and their family of Drumright, Oklahoma, Kyle Williams and his wife, Caylie of Cushing, Oklahoma, Alicia Williams of Cushing, Oklahoma and Jacob Poyner of Cushing, Oklahoma.
JoAnn also leaves behind nine great grandchildren, Carter, Camden, Axeller, Kohen, Eli, Teagan, Cora, Lucas, and Waylon.
JoAnn leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and who will carry her memory with them always. Her warmth, her steady presence, and her love for her family will never be forgotten.
