Lynn Elaine Williams

Lynn Elaine Abbott Williams, 68, passed away on Saturday, February 18, at North Little Rock Baptist Hospital. She was born on November 21, 1948, in Newport to Lloyd and Virginia Abbott.  She was a 1966 graduate of Tuckerman High School. She married Ronald C. Williams on July 15, 1968, in Tuckerman.   They have one daughter, Karrabi Williams Malin.  There are 3 grandchildren, Octavia, Isabel and Noah.  She is survived by her mother, Virginia Abbott (Houston, Texas); her husband, Ronnie; two sisters, Vicki Abbott Hulett (Houston, Texas) and Ann Abbott Boyce (Newport, Arkansas) and daughter, Karrabi Williams Malin (Grapevine, Texas).  Family and friends are invited to the funeral at HEBER SPRINGS FUNERAL HOME from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.

Lynn Elaine Abbott Williams

Lynn was born on November 21, 1948 to Lloyd and Virginia Abbott in Tuckerman, Arkansas.  Soon after her two sisters were born, Vicki and Ann.   She was born and raised in Arkansas, and grew up on her grandpa’s farm at Hickory Grove.  She graduated from Tuckerman High School 1966, attended Arkansas State University and Memphis State University.   Lynn and Ronald Williams from Abilene, Texas, were married on July 15, 1968, Tuckerman, Arkansas.  They have one daughter, Karrabi Williams Malin. Karrabi and husband Dave have three children, Octavia, 19, Isabel, 17, and Noah, 9, and live in Grapevine, Texas.

Lynn retired from Civil Service in 2003.  Her career history started in Puerto Rico as an admin assistant at the Fleet Analysis Center that tracked, collected and analyzed telemetry data for weapons training. During Lynn's employment, her jobs included secretary, admin assistant, supply clerk, contracting officer and coordinator of Youth Programs.  All of these job opportunities were a result of Ronnie's career in the Navy.  With each change of Ronnie's duty station, they were able to live in Memphis, Tennessee; Beeville, Texas; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Rota, Spain; NAS Guam; and NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii.  She retired with 25 years of service. 

Not only did she have her work, but she loved sports!  She was an ASA umpire, (only female umpire in Puerto Rico at the time for baseball).  Another great moment, was when she umpired at the USA baseball stadium for USA Olympic teams in Millington, Tennessee.  Lynn was a softball player the all-Navy team (pitcher) and a coach for several teams (youth and adult).  She refereed and played volleyball.  She was a soccer commissioner, coach, and referee.  Lynn played  basketball and refereed.  Lynn was able to watch, coach and play many sports with her daughter, grandchildren and friends.

Lynn was highly involved in community service.  As of recent, she was the President of the United Way Board of Cleburne County; President of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), Chapter 1156, Cleburne County;   District 1-Vice-President of NARFE;   Arkansas Federation of NARFE State Treasurer;    President, Heber Springs Lions Club and Zone Chair for district 7O Lions Club and ambassador for the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce.   Volunteering was a major part of her life.  She loved being with people, organizing events and visiting schools.

Lynn received many honors and awards.   The most recent was the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the Lions Club International Foundation and the Floyd Bruce Award for Community Service, Arkansas Federation of Chapters (NARFE).  Other awards  include  the “Lion of the Year” for Charter 3764;  two Meritorious Civilian awards from the Department of the Navy;   Employee of the Year, Naval Reserve Readiness Command;  Employee of the Year, Naval Technical Training Support Group;  Alpha Xi Woman of Year (Lyon College); and Federal Employee of the Year, Memphis Metropolitan Area.

Lynn Elaine Abbott Williams was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend.   She treated all with respect and never met a stranger.  Her life was lived with a purpose, love.  She will be greatly missed. 

Thank you all for being a part of her life and sharing in her funeral.  Thank you for your kind words, food, hugs and support.  Lynn would be proud.

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