Joan Carroll Williams of Bena, a woman so devoted to her family, passed away March 2, 2017 with loved ones at her side. She was 81 years old. 

Joan was the matriarch of her family teaching her children and grandchildren the values and traits that would help guide them in life including: respect for others, hard work, family first, showing compassion and always looking for good in others. She enjoyed family, cooking, entertaining, holidays and especially Christmas. Her kindness, warm heart, great sense of humor made the world a better place to live in. She will be missed by many and was a blessing to all that knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Williams; parents, Gilbert and Lillian Clifford and Lois P. Wagner, and son, Rickey Nelson.

Joan is survived by her children, Ray Gilbert Nelson and wife Joyce, Robert Lawrence Nelson and wife Rita, and Richard Foster III and wife Angela; brother, Buddy Clifford Jr.; her loving friend and companion, Alma Mitchell, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service conducted by the Rev. Bill West was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Interment followed in Rosewell Memorial Garden Cemetery. The family received friends prior to the service from 1-2 o’clock on Sunday at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital for the care given to Joan.

In our mom’s memory, the family desires contributions be sent to Riverside Walter Reed Make a Difference, P.O. Box 1130, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Please visit www.hoggfh.com to share condolences and memories.