JoAnn Williams was born September 5, 1937 to the late Joseph F. Zerkowsky and Edna (Wilson) Zerkowsky in Alton, Illinois. She is proceeded in death by both parents and her brother-in-law, The Honorable Winston Brown.
JoAnn met and married Larry Williams on July 3, 1959 and shared 47 years of Holy Matrimony. She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church under the guidance of Pastor William Yancey. She departed this earth unexpectedly on January 25, 2007 following a short illness.
JoAnn graduated from Alton Senior High School in 1956 and from Harris-Stowe State College in 1973. During her 33 years of educational service, she taught in three school districts, St. Louis Public Schools, Normandy School District and University City School District where she retired in 1998. Following her retirement, she became a science consultant for the St. Louis Public School System and a student teacher coordinator for Harris-Stowe.
JoAnn enjoyed her role as the wife of a public official and the many opportunities it presented to participate in her career and work to make St. Louis a great city. Her many social activities included Tots and Teens Incorporated, the Foxes Club and Goshen Oaks Club.
She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories her devoted husband, The Honorable Larry C. Williams; her loving children, Karen Williams, Leroy (Sheryll) Williams, Linda Y. Clark, Monique Williams, Kimmie (Alex) Williams-Hogue, Stefanie Weeden; her beloved sister, Jenece Brown. Her dear grandchildren, Cory Williams, Jason (Dana) Williams, Anne Williams, Steven Williams, Phillip Clark, LeeAnn Weeden, Kelley Weeden, Crystal Williams, Sara Weeden, Matthew Weeden, Charles Hogue, Lawrence Hogue and Jarren Ahart. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, cousins, a niece and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be made to the Jo Ann Williams Scholarship Fund at Harris-Stowe State University, Attn: President’s Office, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103.