Obituary of Alwina Corrine Williams

Alwina Corrine Williams went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 29, 2020. “Korkie”, as everyone affectionately called her, was the 5th child of Charles and Alwina Williams, born on February 2, 1930, in Kalamazoo, MI. She attended Kalamazoo Public Schools and worked at the Douglas Community Center during her teen years. Korkie attended Western Michigan College at the same time as three of her siblings. There “should “ have been a 5th sibling at Western Michigan College but that 5th person was only 10 years old at the time - right Aunt Elaine? For over 100 years, the Williams and Woodford Families have been active members of the Allen Chapel AME Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Korkie was President ProTem of Trustee, a member of the Finance Committee and a member of the Usher Board. Korkie moved to Gary, IN in the 1960’s where she worked for several companies, eventually working for the Post Office for over 25 years. She retired as Deputy Postmaster in the 1990’s. Her next move was to beautiful Paw Paw, MI. She wanted to be of service to people so she volunteered at Lakeview Bronson Hospital - for 27 years! She started as a Nursing Unit Volunteer and later was on the Auxiliary Board and worked at the Gift Shop. Korkie belonged to the Tri City Bowl Club and, with friends, formed The Eagle Lake Girls. These Girls have gotten together every summer for the past 20+ years. Summers at Eagle Lake with Korkie were the best times. We’d take turns winning (or losing) playing Poker and Bid Whist. She had strict rules for each game and had no patience for the meek. Korkie was the Matriarch of our family. She kept our 39 years of Annual Family Reunions exciting and eventful. Korkie left a hell of a lot of stuff to her nieces and nephews who have no idea what to do with it. So, if you’re looking for 2 extremely small TV’s from the 90’s, several computers from the 80’s, an extremely heavy chest of drawers or 1000 tools/nails/screws, let us know. You should wait the appropriate time and get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine. She leaves behind a large and loving family of whom she was proud. Korkie always had words of encouragement, wisdom and comfort for her nieces and nephews. Korkie was world renowned for her extensive vocabulary which was more than highly proficient at knowing more curse words than most people learned in a lifetime. She was genuine to a fault. She was a kitty cat (or lion) at heart and yet she sugar coated nothing. Korkie loved four-letter words as much as she loved playing cards. Gardening was thrilling for her, especially when she was able to harvest her six strawberries each season. She was a master cook who believed that cooking for 20 was normal for a group of 4. Korkie was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles F. Williams, Jr. and Homer L. Williams, M.D.; sister, Sylvia Pettiford; life-long friend, Barbara J. Johnson, and her beloved pets, Tippi and Mysti. She is survived by her sisters, Dorothe Lewis (CT) and Elaine Overstreet (CA), her “adopted daughter” Carrol T. Blair (MI) and her beloved Poodle, Lexi (MI). She will be sorely missed by her numerous and loving nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends. We love you Korkie and look forward to playing Acey Deucey with you again.