Emma Louise Gibble Williams, 89, of Homestead Village, Lancaster, passed away Wednesday, June 27, at Homesteads Apostles Health Center. She was the wife of Robert F. Williams, with whom she shared over 66 years of marriage. Born in Lancaster on January 17, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Ira K. and Edythe L. Gibble.

Louise devoted her life selflessly to loving and nurturing her family, while making time to enjoy her interests in tennis, bridge, and reading.

She was valedictorian of Stevens Girls High School Class of mid-1936 and salutatorian of the Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) Class of 1939. She and Bob Williams of Coatesville, Class of 1938, were married on August 25, 1940 at St. Pauls Evangelical & Reformed Church in Lancaster.

She taught high school science and physical education in York Countys Manchester School District for one year before her marriage and was a substitute teacher in the Lancaster Township School District.

When Bob served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, she twice traveled cross-country by train to meet him in California. On the second trip, she and their daughter Bobbie arrived just in time to celebrate VJ Day (Aug. 15, 1945) with him on Market St. in San Francisco.

Louise was always physically very active. In her mid-teens she played on the Northern Lights, a local girls softball team. At Millersville, she played tennis and was captain of the womens volleyball team.

She and Bob were founding members in 1970 of the Westside Tennis Club on Wilson Ave. In 2000, to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, they played a best-of-five-games love match there, cheered on by 75 family members and friends. (She beat Bob in a tie-breaker in the fifth game.)

A member of Church of the Apostles, she also belonged to the Cliosophic Society and served as President of the XYZ Auxiliary to the Lancaster ABC (American Business Club). After raising their family in homes on N. Marshall St., Atkins Ave., and Jackson Dr., she and Bob moved to Homestead Village in 2002.

In addition to her husband, Louise is survived by two daughters: Roberta, wife of Samuel H. Francis, of Chatham, NJ, and Sherrill, wife of Donald J. Campbell, of Charlotte, NC. She was predeceased by her third daughter, Joan M., in 1996, and by her sisters, Thelma G. Mumma and Theda G. Trumbower.

She leaves a loving legacy for her four grandchildren and three great-granddaughters: Heather C., wife of Joseph Picone, of Chesterfield, VA, and their daughters Chlo Louise and Mea Nicole; Erika L. Francis-Raniere, wife of David Raniere, of Sudbury, MA, and their daughter Emma Louise (named after her great-grandmother); Christopher S. Francis, of Hoboken, NJ; and David C. Campbell, of Media, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Louises life at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Dr. Tyson L. Frey and the Rev. H. Neil Mumma of Coplay, her nephew, co-officiating. Interment in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lancaster Foundation for Educational Enrichment (designated for the Joan Williams Scholarship Fund), 445 N. Reservoir St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Arrangements by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home
Lancaster New Era 6/28/2007

Emma Louise Gibble Williams, 89, of Homestead Village, Lancaster, passed away Wednesday, June 27, at Homesteads Apostles Health Center. She was the wife of Robert F. Williams, with whom she shared over 66 years of marriage. Born in Lancaster on January 17, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Ira K. and Edythe L. Gibble.

Louise devoted her life selflessly to loving and nurturing her family, while making time to enjoy her interests in tennis, bridge, and reading.

She was valedictorian of Stevens Girls High School Class of mid-1936 and salutatorian of the Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) Class of 1939. She and Bob Williams of Coatesville, Class of 1938, were married on August 25, 1940 at St. Pauls Evangelical & Reformed Church in Lancaster.

She taught high school science and physical education in York Countys Manchester School District for one year before her marriage and was a substitute teacher in the Lancaster Township School District.

When Bob served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, she twice traveled cross-country by train to meet him in California. On the second trip, she and their daughter Bobbie arrived just in time to celebrate VJ Day (Aug. 15, 1945) with him on Market St. in San Francisco.

Louise was always physically very active. In her mid-teens she played on the Northern Lights, a local girls softball team. At Millersville, she played tennis and was captain of the womens volleyball team.

She and Bob were founding members in 1970 of the Westside Tennis Club on Wilson Ave. In 2000, to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, they played a best-of-five-games love match there, cheered on by 75 family members and friends. (She beat Bob in a tie-breaker in the fifth game.)

A member of Church of the Apostles, she also belonged to the Cliosophic Society and served as President of the XYZ Auxiliary to the Lancaster ABC (American Business Club). After raising their family in homes on N. Marshall St., Atkins Ave., and Jackson Dr., she and Bob moved to Homestead Village in 2002.

In addition to her husband, Louise is survived by two daughters: Roberta, wife of Samuel H. Francis, of Chatham, NJ, and Sherrill, wife of Donald J. Campbell, of Charlotte, NC. She was predeceased by her third daughter, Joan M., in 1996, and by her sisters, Thelma G. Mumma and Theda G. Trumbower.

She leaves a loving legacy for her four grandchildren and three great-granddaughters: Heather C., wife of Joseph Picone, of Chesterfield, VA, and their daughters Chlo Louise and Mea Nicole; Erika L. Francis-Raniere, wife of David Raniere, of Sudbury, MA, and their daughter Emma Louise (named after her great-grandmother); Christopher S. Francis, of Hoboken, NJ; and David C. Campbell, of Media, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Louises life at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Dr. Tyson L. Frey and the Rev. H. Neil Mumma of Coplay, her nephew, co-officiating. Interment in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lancaster Foundation for Educational Enrichment (designated for the Joan Williams Scholarship Fund), 445 N. Reservoir St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Arrangements by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home
Lancaster New Era 6/28/2007