Naomi Ruth Williams, 91, passed away Saturday evening, January 4, 2025, in Kirksville, Missouri. She was born October 11, 1933, near Milan, Missouri, the first child of Herbert Lee (Dick) Riley and Maxine (Morris) Riley. The family moved to a farm northwest of Winigan, where Naomi grew up with her siblings.
Naomi graduated high school in 1952 and attended college at Kirksville. She began teaching school at rural schools in Sullivan County, then later at Green City Elementary. She moved to O’Fallon, Missouri and taught at Fort Zumwalt Elementary School for many years. She retired from full time teaching after 30 years, and in 1985 moved to Kirksville, where she substitute taught for several more years.
On October 11, 1992, she married Frank Williams and moved back to O’Fallon, Missouri. They had been married 30 years when he passed away on November 13, 2022. In May 2023, Naomi moved from O’Fallon to St. Andrews Apartments in Kirksville, to be near family. She was a member of the Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.
Naomi loved all her family devotedly and babysat many of her nieces and nephews when they were small. She was friendly, helpful, and always ready with a smile. She made many friends wherever she lived. She loved her cats, of which there were many over the years. She and Frank enjoyed going to antique stores and they collected many things, especially things with cats on them, and glass apples and strawberries.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank, a stepdaughter, Sharon Williams, a brother, Bill Riley, a niece, Billie Kay Riley, sister-in-law Patricia Riley, and brother-in-law Hubert Pfeiffer. She is survived by a sister, Sharon Pfeiffer of Winigan, MO, a brother, John Riley of Milo, Iowa, and sister-in-law, Reta Riley, of Novinger, MO. Also surviving are eight nieces and nephews: David (Chris) Pfeiffer, Debbie (Bill) O’Connor, Brenda (Jim) Horsman, Lisa (Loy) Miller, Todd (Deann) Riley, Darin (Shelly) Riley, Scarlett (Jason) Ragas, and William (Mary Ellen) Riley, along with many great and great great nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home, Green City, Missouri, with Pastor Tim Ingle of Hamilton Street Baptist Church officiating. Pall bearers are her nephews: David Pfeiffer, Bill O’Connor, Jim Horsman, Loy Miller, Todd Riley, Darin Riley, William Riley, Jason Ragas, and Nick Pfeiffer.
Burial will be at Price Cemetery near Winigan, Missouri. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, starting at 12:00 Noon, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Field of Dreams Rescue in Kirksville or the Price Cemetery in Winigan.