Annamae Williams

Anna Mae Williams passed away, suddenly and peacefully, June 20, 2022 at her  home where she lived with her husband Carroll R. Williams, daughter Karen and son-in-law Carl Rago, in Santa Fe, NM. Family members were at her side. She was 92. Anna Mae and Carroll were married 70 years September 1, 2021.

Anna Mae was born in Allentown, PA on January 4, 1930 and was the daughter of Charles F. and Jennie (Oberholtzer) Mackes. Anna Mae was a graduate of Allentown High School, Class of 1947. After graduation she was hired as an operator in Bell of PA’s Long Distance (Traffic) Department. She resigned prior to the birth of her first child, Karen. At the time she was a supervisor.

Over the years she lived in Emmaus, PA, Cherry Hill NJ, Bridgewater, NJ. South Whitehall Twp., PA, Willow Green 55+, Allen Twp., PA and finally Santa Fe, NM. Anna Mae was very active in many non-profit organizations throughout her life. These included Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts (WEBLOES Scouts) Cherry Hill, NJ., Lehigh Valley Pioneer Club, Mountainside Garden Club Bridgewater, NJ and the Allentown Garden Club (AGC). She was President of the AGC several times over the years and consistently served actively on various committees including the formation of the Jr. Gardeners in association with Phoebe Home.  She shared her love of crafts and gardening with her children, grandchildren and her community.

Her hobbies included: oil painting, knitting, gardening and crocheting. Anna Mae lived for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, patiently teaching them various crafts and her love of gardening.

During their marriage Carroll and she traveled extensively; visiting all 50 states, 5 continents and taking 5 cruises.

Anna Mae is survived by her husband, Carroll, sister Larue F. Frick and 4 children: Karen (husband Carl Rago), Santa Fe, NM; David, Leonardtown, MD; Barbara (husband William [Chuck] Lazenby) Atlantic, VA, Dean (wife Joanne) Easton, PA. and son-in-law Maurice Roberts, Newnan, GA., 10 grandchildren: Ross Lazenby (wife Niki), Clermont, FL, Katie (husband  Jason Broadwater) Salisbury, MD; Evan  Rago, Redwood City, CA, Emily  Rago, (partner Erick Rodas) Hayward, CA, Dr. Alisa Williams, Baltimore, MD, Larissa Williams, Mechanicsville, MD, Lauren (husband Adam Nieves) Newtown, PA, Kelly (fiancé Brandon Spohn) Bethlehem, PA, Allison Williams, Easton, PA and  Christine Williams, Easton, PA., 4 great grandchildren: Addison & Bryson Lazenby, Clermont, FL, Darren and Callan Nieves, Newtown, PA and 3 step great grandchildren, Carmen, John and Austin Broadwater, Salisbury, MD.  Anna Mae was preceded in death by daughter Kay L. Roberts (husband Maurice Roberts), Newnan, GA who died September 5, 2018 and step-brother Kenneth Mackes (Detroit, MI) .

 A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 2PM, Willow Green Clubhouse, 1Willow Green Court, Northampton, PA. RSVP karenrago1@gmail.com.

Contributions; In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to either: Allentown Garden Club, c/o Rosemary Ebersole, 445 Rock Cliff Road, Emmaus, PA  18049-5513 OR Asbury Methodist Church, 1533 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104.