Eva L. Williamson, 88, of Rolling Prairie, IN, died peacefully at 7:18 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014, at her home.
She was born Dec. 30, 1925, in Chicago to Frank and Eva (Collier) Bush.
Eva retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a receptionist. She assisted in many USDA farming programs during her 12-year tenure. Eva also worked as a garden manager for 25 years at Willson Nursery. She was both a board member and deaconess at the LaPorte Seventh Day Adventist Church, of which she was a member for 68 years. In her spare time, Eva loved reading, especially the Bible, as well as shopping, collecting books, antiquing, going to garage sales, and attending auctions. She had a particular passion for roses. Eva’s love of talking was well known and she was lovingly known as “Gab” among friends and family. Eva was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were everything to her, and she enjoyed having them stay over in the summertime and taking them swimming. Eva enjoyed traveling and had an especially memorable trip to Spain. She lovingly cared for her husband, “Grandpa Willie.”
On Feb. 2, 1974, she married Wilbur Williamson, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Delbert (Diane) Willson Jr. of Savannah, GA, Darrell (Karen) Willson of Manassas, VA, and Donald Willson of Rolling Prairie; one daughter, Deborah (Doug) Hilliard of Nashville, TN; two brothers, Barry Bush of LaPorte and Frank (Joann) Bush of Chesterton, IN; four sisters, Barbara (Frank) Hall, Bonnie Brainard and Betty (Richard) McIntyre, all of LaPorte, and Jeanie Newland of Plymouth, IN; three stepchildren, Diane Castro and Becky Lawson, both of Indiana, and Scott Williamson of California; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a foster daughter, Barbara York.
Preceding her in death were one sister, Lou Ann Rogers; four brothers, Merideth Bush, Cyrill Bush, Lester Bush and Sam Bush; her parents; and her first husband, Delbert Willson Sr.
A funeral celebrating her life will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at LaPorte Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1480 Boyd Blvd., LaPorte. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church. A private burial will be held at a later date in Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the LaPorte Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1480 Boyd Blvd., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.