Rita Gene Williams, age 80

November 28, 1941 – June 17, 2022

Rita Gene Williams, age 80, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:43 PM – Friday, June 17, 2022, at Cumberland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Greenup, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Rita's life will be held at 2:00 PM – Thursday, June 23, 2022, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Rev Steve Willis officiating.  Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 2 hours before the service.  In loving memory of Rita, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Cancer Fund.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Rita was born on November 28, 1941, in Harrisburg, Illinois, the daughter of Calvin and Jewel (McPherson) Blackman.  She graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1959.

Rita was united in marriage to James E. Williams, of Rosiclare, on November 14, 1964, at McKinley Baptist Church in Harrisburg, and he preceded her in death on August 15, 2016.

Rita worked for the United States Postal Service for 39 years, she served as Postmaster of Willow Hill from 1989, until her retirement in 2015.

Rita attended the First Baptist Church in Newton and was a longtime devoted member of Southern Baptist Church in Newton and First Baptist Church in Carterville.  She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter #497 in Newton.

Rita is survived by:

Daughters – Tamara Sue (Larry) Melvin of Marion, Illinois and Jennifer Lynne (Don) Zerrusen of Teutopolis, Illinois

Daughter-in-law – Kimberly Williams of Carterville, Illinois

7 Grandchildren

8 Great Grandchildren

Sister – Beverly Smith of Harrisburg, Illinois

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son Mickey Williams.