Shirley L. Williams

Shirley Primm Williams, 74, of Bono, died on Friday, March 23, 2012, at St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center.

Born January 29, 1938, in Caraway, to the late William N. and Clevie Primm, she was a lifetime resident of Northeast Arkansas. Known as a loving wife, mother, Nana, sister, and friend, she was a selfless person that enjoyed helping anyone she could and was considered the leader of her family. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life.


Shirley retired from General Electric in Jonesboro. She was a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church for more than 50 years. She participated in many youth activities and trips cooking for all the children. As a young person, she and her sisters sang together in the church in Lake City. Williams was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, part of the Eastern Star, and her hobbies included cross stitch, watching Dancing with the Stars, and Wheel of Fortune. She and her friends loved to meet at McDonalds, drink coffee and solve all the world’s problems. Her sweet, loving personality and pretty smile will never be forgotten.


Survivors include: one daughter, Traci Simpson, and her husband Greg of Jonesboro; two sons, John “Jackie” Williams and Chad Williams, and his wife Storey, all of Bono; three grandchildren, Joseph Ryan Simpson, Jordan Simpson, and Kaylison Dean Williams; four brothers, Joe Primm, MacArthur Primm, Bruce Primm, all of Jonesboro, and Alvin Primm of Marcellus, Michigan; two sisters, Shelby Tate and Pansy Howle of Bono; three uncles, A.C. Williams of Jonesboro, Jack Williams of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lloyd Williams of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; several nephews and nieces and a host of other family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Williams; daughter in law, Barbara Williams; brothers Willie D. Primm, J.T. Primm, and Donald Wayne Primm; and one sister, Kledath Compton.

Nieces and nephews are serving as pallbearers. Members of the Danny Harlan Sunday School Class are serving as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 Sunday evening at Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 10 Monday morning in the Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Glen Putman and Pastor Jerry Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The family requests that lasting memorials be made to the: Walnut Street Baptist Church Youth Program, 1910 Scenic Road Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870.972.0220 or www.walnutstreetbaptist.org, in loving memory of Shirley Williams.

Online Registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com