Beulah Williams

A woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, Beulah Williams had a way of touching the soul of a person like no one else could. She was selfless, thoughtful, and genuine with no desire to judge others since one never knows what they are going through. A more devoted family woman would be hard to find as she lived to nurture and care for her husband and children, and once grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived her love for her family only multiplied. She could always see the positive side of things and could find joy in even the simplest of things with an unwavering contentment in both the peaks and valleys along her life’s journey. Although Beulah will be deeply missed, her family and friends will be forever grateful for having been given such an extraordinary woman to know and love.

Nestled during the vibrant days of the Roaring Twenties was the year 1925 that boasted of the first presidential inauguration to be broadcast over the airwaves, the first Sears Robuck retail store to open its doors, and the founding of the Chrysler Corporation. This same year was a year to remember in the lives of Elmer and Ora (Priddy) Gufffy as they announced the birth of their daughter, Beulah Marie, on March 30th in Chico, California. She was the younger of two children, joined in her family by her older brother, Cecil. Because her mother died while Beulah was just a young girl, she was primarily raised by her uncle and aunt, Orville and Marie Stiles, who had four children of their own who were more like siblings to Beulah.

Despite coping with the death of her mother, Beulah experienced a pleasant childhood filled with experiences that greatly enriched her life. She was described as a tomboy who liked playing baseball and helping her father in the garden as she loved being outside. Beulah attended local schools, and after leaving high school she found work in a local factory. Despite being a diligent worker there, she was let go once they found out how young she was. Beulah then found work at JC Penney.

Life was forever changed for Beulah when she went out on a double date with a friend; however, she was more interested in the other young man on the date than she was in her own. That intriguing young man was Ronald Williams, and he too was smitten, which brought him to her store where he bought some shoes from her. It must have been true love as he never even wore the shoes since they were too small! Although he was from Grand Rapids, Michigan, he had been in California on business at the time. Beulah and Ronald dated for a time, but he soon discovered that he was going to be in the military. Afraid that she wouldn’t see him again when he returned to Grand Rapids after serving, Beulah talked to him about getting married despite having only dated for two months. Ready to make a commitment, Beulah and Ron were married on March 28, 1943, at her aunt’s house. Ron took his young bride and mother back to Grand Rapids before shipping out. Pregnant and missing her family back in Redding, California, Beulah later returned to California until Ron returned.

Once again together, the couple settled on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids where five more children joined Darlene in the family including Ron, Joan, Jim, Bobby, and Cheri.

From the moment she became a mother Beulah was amazing. Since Ron was often out of town on business, the bulk of the child rearing fell on her shoulders, but she handled it well with just the right amount of humor mixed in. Beulah would do anything for her husband and children, and they made their home welcoming for their children’s friends and neighborhood kids. Their house was lived in, but Beulah made sure it was as clean and organized as it could be with so many people. She was a fantastic cook who made sure that the entire family was at the table promptly at five each evening. Beulah was an active part of her children’s lives, serving on the PTA and being involved in their many school events. She and Ron instilled within their children valuable life skills such as a genuine sense of right and wrong, respect, and both love and concern for others.

In 1960 Beulah and Ron bought a home on Baptist Lake where the family spent the entire summer. She loved laying in the sun or floating on a raft during the summer and chipped in helping to rake the heavy wet leaves out of the lake to prepare for summer. As their family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren the lake home continued to be a place for the family to gather. Christmas was always a memorable event for the family as Beulah took every opportunity to spoil her family while not showing any favorites. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and supported them at their school and sporting events as well as celebrating their special days as they came.

Beulah’s bustling family kept her busy, but she also found the time to do various crafts as she made candles and ceramics, knitted, crocheted, and was an excellent seamstress who made clothes for her family including outfits for her grandchildren's Cabbage Patch dolls. Reading and crossword puzzles also kept her busy.

Although Beulah and Ron went to visit her relatives in California every few years, they were able to spend their winters there once he semi-retired later in life. Back in Michigan for the summer they spent their time at their place on Baptist Lake. Beulah and Ron also enjoyed taking trips other places, too. When they wanted to be closer to their family on a regular basis later on, they moved back to Michigan full-time. Throughout their married life Beulah and Ron shared a wonderful marriage filled with understanding. Of course there were times that were trying, but they mastered being able to get things resolved and forgive one another.

The things to appreciate about Beulah were many. She had a genuine interest in others and strived to truly know people by asking questions and listening. Beulah was forever full of stories for the kids and had a listening ear accompanied with timeless advice when asked. She was a kid at heart, too, as she enjoyed playing games with the children like peanuts, spoons, or a variety of other card games. Beulah’s beauty was timeless and she liked to do things in a proper way, especially when entertaining. Although she was comfortable talking amongst a group of people, she was never looking to draw attention to herself. Even when she suffered with macular degeneration for several years and Alzheimer’s disease during her sunset days, Beulah remained gracious toward others and never complained of her struggles.

Beulah Williams was a humble, gentle, and sweet woman who made the most of every day she was given, looking at even the hard days through the lens of joy, laughter, and love. She was filled with unending devotion to her family, and her husband and children always felt deeply loved. Beulah will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Beulah Marie Williams, age 89, passed away May 17, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Ronald Williams Sr.; their children Darlene & Bob Klok, Ron & Bev Williams Jr., Joan Jones, Jim & Kimberly Williams, Bobby & Mary Williams, Cheri Williams; grandchildren (and great grandchildren): Ryan and Carrie Williams (Kamryn Coster, Harrison and Pyper Williams), Kate and Rob Overbeek (William, Henry and George), Tracy and John Churchill (Ashley, Spencer and Autum), Angela and Dave Johnson (Shane Harlan, Audrey Johnson, Alyssa Neuman), Don Jones and Rico Cammon, Shelly Jones & Joe Portner (Dylan Portner), Jim and Nikki Williams (Lexie and Brendan), Lindsey and Ryan Waselewsky (Layna, Kallen and Rylan), Aubrey and Kristopher Dragicevich (Allison and Kiley Dragicevich), Jillian Williams, Kelli and Albert Copeland (Kaleigha Copeland), Nichole and Brad Rumble (Ethan and Kaidan Rumble), Crissy Kwekel, Bobby Kwekel; sister-in-law Regina Guffy; her extended brothers and sister Lee & Sylvia Stiles, Evelyn & Jack Knudson, Don & Mona Stiles; and many nieces and nephews. Beulah was preceded in death by her son-in-law Don Jones, grandson Michael Marek and granddaughter, Faraday Rumble, brother, Cecil Guffy and extended sister, Leota . A funeral to remember and celebrate Beulah's life will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive where friends are invited to visit with her family on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. To read more about her life, to share a memory or photo, or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com