Michelle J. “Shelley Jo” Williams

Michelle J. “Shelley Jo” Williams, 61, of Dubuque, Iowa, died unexpectedly at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at home.

She was born December 19, 1955, in Galesburg Cottage Hospital, the daughter of Charles Richard and Toni (Wilder) Williams Sr.

She is survived by her parents, Charles Richard Williams Sr. and Toni Hollowell, both of Galesburg, Illinois; her special son and dog, Midnight; five children, Francisco (Mychell) Zepeda of Galesburg, Shawna Williams and Shana Williams, both of Dubuque, Meisha Kimbrough Williams of Galesburg, and Dereka Williams of Dubuque; 15 grandchildren, Alex Bailey, Kristina Foust, Alia Kenner, Drake Collis, Malik Zepeda, Maya Zepeda, Zakai Williams, Latevia Williams, Harold Robinson, Tivon Robinson, Shai Jones, Latron Kimbrough, Onesty Tatum, Harmony Williams, and Eugene Williams; two great grandchildren, Peter Bailey and Paisley Collis; five brothers, Charles Richard Williams Jr. of Peoria, Tyrone A. Williams of East Galesburg, Cary D. (Shanel) Williams of Atlanta, Chuck (Kimberly) Adams of Aurora, and Chas (Elizabeth) Williams of Galesburg; three sisters, Sheila (Reginald) Williams-Edwards of Dubuque, Lisa Williams of Galesburg, and Sydney Williams of Chicago; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Nikki Lewis, Janet Peyton, Velinda Washington, Anthony “Sugar Daddy” Williams, Andrew Dortch, and Algeron Scott. She was preceded in death by a brother, Scotty Hollowell on July 25, 2016 and a grandson, D’Shawn Williams on August 10, 2011.

Shelley was raised and educated in Galesburg, where she attended Galesburg High School and Carl Sandburg College. She worked for Hillcrest Family Services in Dubuque for 20 years before retiring. She was of Baptist faith.

Shelley enjoyed reading and travelling. She also had a fondness for purses and shoes, some would say a “problem”. Shelley was a cancer survivor.

Visitation will be noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Tyson Parks III officiating. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Hope House in Iowa City. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.