Chicago, IL- Mrs. Tommie Jean Williams, 91, transitioned from this life to eternal rest on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Paul House and Health Care Center in Chicago, IL. She leaves a beautiful legacy of faith, family, laughter, and love that will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

If you knew Tommie Jean, you remember her smile, her laugh, and her quick wit. She made everyone feel welcome and cared for, and her presence brought joy to those around her. A wonderful cook and baker, she had a sweet tooth and loved her desserts just as much as she was sweet herself.

Tommie Jean was a talented cosmetologist who took pride in her work and enjoyed helping others look and feel their best. She generously shared her time and talents. As a devoted member of her church, she often recorded the choir’s concerts and shared them with everyone, making sure others could enjoy the music she loved. And then there were the simple things that made life fun.

In her leisure time, Tommie Jean enjoyed playing Po-Keno with family, watching movies, and spending time with loved ones. Above all, she cherished her faith and the church, which were central to her life and served as her foundation throughout the years.

Tommie Jean was born on June 18, 1935, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Lillie Turner Banks Butler and Thomas Banks. She attended Youngstown City Schools and graduated from East High School.

On July 24, 1954, she married the love of her life, Talmadge Williams, beginning a marriage and family life that would become an important part of her story. Tommie Jean worked for 30 years at Delphi Packard Electric and retired in 1997.

For many years, she was a faithful member of Third Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio. There, she served as a Deaconess and sang with the Inspirational Choir. Her service was not simply something she did, it expressed the faith she carried throughout her life.

In 2024, Tommie Jean started a new chapter by joining Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago with her granddaughter, Tamara. She became a member of the Active Seniors, continuing her tradition of fellowship, faith, and community.

She is survived by her daughter, Lillie Denise McDowell (Michael) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; granddaughter, Tamara Brianna Williams of Chicago, Illinois, whom she raised; grandson, Michael William McDowell of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends who will mourn her passing and celebrate her life.

Tommie Jean loved her Lord, her church, and her family. She leaves people who will share her stories, laugh at her favorite sayings, and make the foods she loved. She has taken her rest; her work here is done, and her faith has carried her home.

Tommie Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter, Donna Maria Williams; brother, Herbert Banks; and grandson, Matthew Lewis McDowell. For those who loved her, she will always be remembered not just for the years she lived, but for the love she gave and the lives she touched. Rest well, Tommie Jean. Your love lives on.

Tommie Jean leaves behind more than just memories. She leaves the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her smile, recipes, stories, music, family traditions, and the special sweetness she brought to everyday moments. Her life can be summed up as one of faith, a heart full of love and a genuine sweetness all her own.

As we gather to honor her legacy, we remember Tommie Jean not only for her extraordinary life but also for the love she radiated and the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. A public viewing will be held in the chapel of the J.E. Washington Funeral Home, 2234 Glenwood Ave, on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 2-4pm.

Tommie Jean’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 19, 2026, with a public viewing from 9:00-9:45am, followed by a homegoing service at 10:00 AM with Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II officiating. Following the committal ceremony, Tommie Jean will be laid to rest upon the serene meadows of Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH.

For a caring farewell, at this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Mrs. Tommie Jean Williams elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511 330.782.8500