Charlotte Ann Williams

Charlotte Ann Williams, age 85, of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024. She was born on December 13, 1938, in Kalamazoo, the oldest daughter of Robert and Alice (Burden) Singer.

She was a 1957 graduate from Gobles High School. On December 6, 1958, she married the late Robert Reno Williams, Sr. and moved to South Bend, Indiana. From this union were born three children, Robert Reno Jr., Ronald Rico, and Denise Marqui.

Charlotte loved her family and friends. She held many jobs during her lifetime. She shared many stories about working in the onion fields and blueberry patches when she was young. Once married, she worked for St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana as an Aide; she later moved back to Kalamazoo and worked for the Lerner Shop and Gilmore Bros Department Store, and finally retired from The Upjohn Company. I believe her greatest job was opening her home to care for children.

She loved Bingo and working on crafts, she could create wonders with yarn and plastic canvas. She was known for baking birthday cakes for family. However, her greatest entertainment was watching Notre Dame “Fighting Irish” football. She not only watched sports, she truly understood the game and would talk for hours with her nephew, James Flynn. She had Notre Dame collectibles all around the apartment and even on her car. Another one of her hobbies was decorating for each holiday – that included her pet duck, Goosey Lucy, who is with us today. Halloween was her favorite. She was always excited when family came over to see her craftsmanship!

Charlotte, also known as “Big Red”, was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Robert “Cakeman” Williams, Jr.; and several nephews and nieces.

Charlotte leaves to cherish her memory one son, Ronald Rico (Kimberly) Williams of Elkhart, IN; one daughter, Denise Harrison of Stockbridge, GA; one daughter-in-love, Glenda Williams of South Bend, IN; 6 grandchildren – Takeshia Williams of Philadelphia, PA, Chelsea Williams and Gregory O’Connell of South Bend, IN, “Little” Charlotte and Ann Williams of Elkhart, IN, and Joshua Harrison of Kalamazoo; 5 great-grandchildren – Jaylen Williams and Jamir Brock of Philadelphia, PA; Jayson “JJ” Walker, Saniya Kelly, and Ryan O’Connell, all of South Bend; 4 sisters, Jaqueline Jeffries, Annette Gayle (Bari) Singer, Rhonda (David) Buchanan all of Kalamazoo, MI, and Mignon Vincent of Brookhaven, GA; her godchildren: Valerie Moore, Darron Campbell and “Baby” Charlotte Deur, all of Kalamazoo; brother- in-love, Len Williams, and sisters-in-love, Catherine Williams, Barbara Coffee and Mary Williams, all of South Bend, IN; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as we treasure the memories, we hold close to our hearts.

Service will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The family will welcome guests for visitation on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 4 pm to 6 pm, and on Tuesday, November 19, from 10 am to 11 am. A funeral service will be held on November 19 at 11 am. Charlotte will be laid to rest at Almena Township Cemetery following the funeral service.