Carla Sue Williams

On Friday, September 20, 2024, our Heavenly Father called another one of His angels home, welcoming Carla Sue Williams into her heavenly rest.

Carla was born on July 21, 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Jerri Dean Atkinson-Suggs and David Thomas Suggs Sr. She was raised in Charleston, Missouri, where she attended Lincoln School, and later Washington School in Danville, Illinois.

She met and married Charles Edward McElmurry of Pulaski, Illinois, who preceded her in death. After relocating to Chicago, Illinois, she met and married Johnny Williams, who also preceded her in death.

Carla had a deep love for her family. From a young age, she began working to help her mother support her siblings. She had many talents, with a special passion for cooking. Carla’s desserts, particularly her caramel cake, "sock-it-to-me" cake, and death-by-chocolate were her specialties. She baked sweets for Arnold's Restaurant in Jew Town, Chicago, for many years. Besides cooking, she loved working in her yard, decorating, and even tackling minor carpentry. Carla’s motto was: “I will fix it or tear it up!”

A spirited traveler, Carla always kept a bag packed, ready for her next adventure. She was also dedicated to her church ministry. Carla worked in the kitchen, helped the elderly, served as an usher, and decorated for church events, always saying, "My family will come if I call." Her faith community spanned Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Illinois, Praise Central Church of Deliverance, and Miracle Center Church of Deliverance, both in Carbondale, Illinois.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Andre Daren Maurice Suggs-McElmurry; two grandsons, Andre Daren Maurice Suggs Jr. and Tori Johnson; her great-grandson, Wesley Holton Jr.; two sisters, Florian Suggs and Veronica Suggs-Keys; and three brothers, David Thomas Suggs Jr., Andrew Thomas Suggs, and Franklin Suggs.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Milen Thomas Suggs (Linda) of Centralia, Illinois, and Reginald Lamont Suggs (Rebecca) of Mount Vernon, Illinois; five brothers, Joe Clyde Lipsey of Murphysboro, Illinois, Robert Earl Suggs (Lin) of Danville, Illinois, Kerry Lee Suggs, Terry Lee Suggs, both of Sikeston, Missouri, and Jerry Lee Suggs (Helen) of Memphis, Tennessee; six sisters, Dorothy Ann Lillard and Christine Crook of Murphysboro, Illinois, Anna Jean Pittman and Edna Felix of Danville, Illinois, Carol Jean Atkinson of Elkville, Illinois, and Lorraine Davis "Lorie" (Norman) of Sikeston, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Aaron Williams (Bertha) of Chicago, Illinois; stepdaughter, Diona Williams (Nate) of Chicago, Illinois; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and an abundance of friends.

Her cherished lifetime friends include Rose Mack, Ella Mae Jones-Redmond, Gwendolyn Curry, Constance Burtley, Aunt Julia B. Rowe, and Mary Moore.

Carla Sue Williams will be remembered for her loving spirit, dedication to family, and faithfulness to her church community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Final Arrangements Lovingly Entrusted to Southern Cremation and Burial Services of Murphysboro, Illinois.