Dorris Jean Payne Williams

Mrs. Dorris Jean Payne Williams

Mrs. Dorris Jean Payne Williams, 87, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017. Dorris was born in Blytheville, to William H. and Louella Tate Payne. Dorris graduated as salutatorian from Dell High School where she also played basketball. After graduation, she worked at a Blytheville bank for 13 years.

Dorris and Clark met through her cousin and were married October 7, 1961, in Blytheville. Dorris left everything in Arkansas, to marry a widower with two young children, Greg and Diane. She loved them as her own. Brent was born the following year.

Dorris leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Clark Williams; sons, Greg (Darlene) Williams, of Bluffton, S.C. and Brent (Angela) Williams of Metropolis, Ill.; daughter, Diane (Jeff) Grimes of Metropolis, Ill.; grandchildren, Stephen Grimes of Metropolis, Ill. , Emily (Jason) Trout of St. Charles, Mo.; step-grandchildren, Samantha May of Perryville, Mo. and Alex May of Metropolis, Ill.; two brothers, Russell (Helen) Payne, Johnny (Betty) Payne, both of Blytheville; three sisters-in-law, Loretta Payne of Blytheville, Ellen Ruth Bremer of Metropolis, Ill. And Margaret (Gene) Emerick of Springfield, Ill.; many nieces and nephews.

Dorris Jean was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Wayne and Robert Payne; three sisters, Harriet (George) Seiford, Virginia Duncan and Wilma Payne; in-laws, Virgil Bremer, Carol Hausman, Robert Hausman, Pat Payne and Ruth Payne.

Dorris battled Alzheimer’s and spoke often of her desire to “Go Home and see her Mom and Dad.” Now she has. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Massac County Lady Patriots Basketball Team, 2841 Old Marion Road, Metropolis, Illinois 62960.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis, Illinois with Rev. Alan Milligan officiating. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6 at the funeral home.