Williams, Ada Lee Akers

Ada Lee “Grandma” Williams—our mother, grandmother, aunt, special cousin, and friend—passed away peacefully in her sleep April 13, 2026, at her home. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 74 years, Harmon Edmund Williams; her son-in-law, Donny Ray Thompson; and her parents, Elbert J. and Myrtle Fralin Akers.

Ada Lee was employed by the Floyd County School System for 27 years. She started as a bus driver before transitioning to a special needs bus driver; to her, all the children were “her” children. She could still tell stories about each of them and their lives well into her later years. Following her retirement, she never slowed down. Harmon and Ada Lee continued to camp and travel with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to her yearly family trips to Philpott Lake, the Smokies, and Myrtle Beach. Her last overnight trip was to Virginia Beach to meet her first great-great-grandson, Yoel, and to have a five-generation picture taken.

She loved cooking for her family, knowing every member’s favorite dish and making sure she had it ready when they arrived. She also loved gardening, flowers, and sitting on her front porch—especially in the fall when the leaves were changing. She loved being outdoors and spent the last 50 years taking care of and mowing the Cannaday Cemetery.

She is survived by her children: Sandra Thompson, Larry Williams (Cathy), and Carol Ann Bowman (Tony); her grandchildren: Donna Laurens (Charles), Dwayne Thompson (Carol), Sebastian Brooks, Jason Hall (Deidre), Lorne Bowman (Susan), Irina Cook (Logan), and Nikita Williams; her great-grandchildren: Chelsea Lindo (Jaine), Charles Laurens II (Christina), Chandler Laurens (Melani), Alana, Tristian, Celeste, and Elyra Brooks, Savannah and Trey Blankenship, Ava Williams, and Ayden, Asher, Austyn, Arik, and Alaya Cook; and her great-great-grandson, Yoel Laurens. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation be made to:

Cannaday Cemetery c/o Dwayne Thompson 932 Smartsview Road, S.E. Floyd, VA 24091