Thomas Lee Williams, 82, of Valier, IL passed away August 12, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, IL.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1930 in Griffin, IN, the son of  Clifford B. Williams and Emerene (Rainey) Remter.  Thomas attended high school at Rights High School in Evanville, IN.

On Nov. 21, 1953 Thomas married Geneva Pearl (Isom) Williams and she survives.

Thomas was an accomplished bricklayer and stone mason since 1949, and he helped build SIU, Rend Lake College, Carbondale Post Office, Times Square Mall, and many area schools.

He was a member of Valier First Baptist Church and served on the Valier Village Board for many years.  He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Scottish Rights.

He is survived by his children, Debbi and Gary Reed, Rockvale, CO; Michael and Ginny Williams, Sesser, IL; Lori and Denny Baggett, O’Fallon, IL and John and Crystal Williams of Valier.  Also surviving are grandchildren Michelle and Curtis Rogers, Chad and Tonika Schuster, Manda and Bill Palmer, Mikala Williams, Hannah Williams, Logan Baggett, Gabe Saul, Gracie Saul, Thomas Williams and Matt Williams; great-grandchildren Cole Rogers, Kennedy Rogers, Camden Rogers, Kassedy Rogers, Madalyn Pearl Schuster, Lyndsie Palmer, Garrett Palmer, Tanner Palmer

He is also survived by eight brothers and sisters, Billy Dean Williams, Lincoln, NE; Janet (Hart) James, Evansville, IN; Bonnie Provaznik, Valier, IL; Charlene Hampton, Christopher, IL; Steve Williams, Du Quoin, IL; Connie Cutler, Christopher, IL; Theresa Evans, Mt. Vernon, IL and Ricky Jo Williams, Herrin, IL.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jerry Ray Cavins and two sisters, Anna Rose George and Snooki Bowers.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 5 p.m. at Valier First Baptist Church.  Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Valier First Baptist Church.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Wanda Lee Crowder, 85, of Mt. Vernon, died at 6:55 a.m. Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Stone Bridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born in Whittington on March, 14, 1928, the daughter of William C. and Iva (McCann) Baxter.

She married Victor James “Vic” Crowder on June 24, 1950, and he preceded her in death on March 24, 2012.

Mrs. Crowder was a member of Rescue Freewill Baptist Church in Whittington.

She was a receptionist for several years at a local lumber company.

Mrs. Crowder is survived by two sisters, Venita Kern, Whittington and Barbara Lemons and husband Harold, of Mt. Vernon.  Other survivors include a niece, Loma Baxter, of Whittington; a great niece, Traci Kelley and husband Marty, of Whittington; great-great nephews Daylon, Jace and Lane Kelley and several cousins.

Mrs. Crowder was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Charles W. Baxter and a nephew, Charles M. Baxter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 14 at Rescue Free Will Baptist Church in Whittington with Brother Bryant Harriss officiating.  Burial will be in Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, and after 10 a.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Crowder’s name may be made to Rescue Free Will Baptist Church.

Mae Cavinder Miller, 99, died August 5, 2013 at 2:38 am, at her home in Valier surrounded the final week of her life by her family.

Mae was born to Edgar Lilliard and Carrie Ruth (Burkhart) Cavinder February 3, 1914 in Valier, IL. She was married to John Learned Miller May 27, 1933. He preceded her in death on October 8, 1983.

Mae is survived by a daughter Jo Ann (Miller) Girten of Valier, IL., daughter-in-law Vicki (Winchester) Miller of Key Stone, South Dakota.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Donald K. & Lyndy Girten of Benton, IL., Kelly (Girten) & Jerry Bate of Valier, IL., Cord & Lisa Girten of Valier, IL., Drake & Tabitha Miller of Benton, IL., Clay & Janice Miller of Carterville, IL., and Brandi (Miller) & Dan Tackett of Rapid City, South Dakota. A nephew she helped raise, Rennie & Karen Clark of Christopher, IL.

Surviving great-grandchidren are Chase Girten of Sesser,IL., Niki (Girten) Loyd of Scheller, IL., Ryan & Krystal Girten of Valier, IL., Kirsten (Johnson) & Ryan Goodisky of Belle Rive, IL., Codey & Jackie Girten of New York City, NY., Kaci Girten of Valier, IL., Trevor & Cady Girten of Wellington, Fla., Blaine, Makennah, & Madeleine Miller of Benton, IL., Zachary Miller of Carterville, IL., & Nash Tackett of Rapid City, South Dakota. Step great-grand children Jerry & Sandra Bate of Zeigler, IL., & Branon “Buck” Bate of Zeigler.

Surviving great-great-grandchildren are Kelsey Bate of Valier, IL., Addison & Sumer Harmon & Ben Loyd of Scheller, IL., Alyssa Girten of Christopher, IL., Step great-great grandchildren Dylon Kelly of Sesser, IL., Cody, Mikayla, Landen, Bella, Riley, & Brody Bate of Zeigler.

Mae graduated from Valier Community High School 1933, was a member of the Valier United Methodist Church since 1935, Eastern Star in Valier and Sesser, and Mates & Dates Square Dance Club in Mt. Vernon, IL. She was a homemaker and worked in Miller Electric with her husband Johnnie.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceeded in death by her son John Keith “Skip” Miller, sisters Dorothy Jacoby and Blanche Clark, brothers Earl and Harl Eugene Cavinder & special friend Estil Forth.

Services wil be at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser on Wednesday August 7, 2013. Visition will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with services following with Rev. Zach Waldis officiating. Internment will be at Maple Hill Cemetary Sesser.

Memorials may be made to Valier United Methodist Church or SSM Hospice of Illinois 2 Good Samaritan Way, Suite 325, Mt Vernon, IL. 62864.  Any memorials will be accepted at the funeral home.