Sue Ellen (Unger) Williamson

As the sun set into streaks of pinks and reds on Sunday, August 2, 2020, Sue Ellen Williamson, 67, took her

last breath on earth and her first breath in heaven in her farmhouse in Prairie Green. She had many visitors that

day, encouraging her and expressing their love for her. She was loved dearly by her children, grandchildren,

siblings, and friends.

Sue was born to Elmer and Barbara Unger, joining a family of an older sister and two older brothers. She

always joked that even though she was the baby and born later in life, she was definitely planned by her parents to

entertain her toddler brother, Steve, while her parents took care of their teenagers, Sonnie and Paul. Her family

resided on a farm southwest of Hoopeston, and she decided early on, she would always be a country girl.

Sue attended Hoopeston schools and graduated in 1970. She attended ISU for a year and a half. She always

said that her mom wanted to go to college more than she did. She desperately missed her country life and when

she came home for Christmas; she was thrilled when her mom said she could stay home and not go back. She

jumped at the chance and began her career in banking at the Wellington State bank as a teller. After staying home

with her children, she continued working at both the Community Bank of Hoopeston and then Milford Citizens

Bank until October 2018. She loved her job and co-workers and “never had a bad day.”

One of her best times at the bank was when a young bachelor came in pretending to look at his safe

deposit box, but really came to peek around the corner at the young, cute, curly-headed bank teller. Nine months

later, Richard Williamson married her, and she made her way to her forever earthly home in Prairie Green

Township, raising three children: Andrea, Joshua, and Benjamin.

Sue had so many pastimes, and they all had one thing in common--people. She loved others, and others

loved her. Her favorite pastime was being with her children and grandchildren. She made sure her farm was a

retreat for them, furnishing the land with zip lines, swings, sandboxes, trails, campsites, and everyone’s

favorite-her golf cart named Mabel. She would take her grandkids down country roads, into ditches, and through

her pasture, telling them stories while being her fun, silly self.

Sue loved children and her volunteer work certainly reflected this. She was a 4H leader, a Sunday school

teacher, VBS leader and teacher, Christmas pageant writer and director, camp dorm mom and family leader, game

coordinator for so many church social events, and the list continues.

Sue had so many friends from childhood, from work, from her country neighborhood, and from church. She loved

getting together with them, going out to eat, visiting, and laughing. She was a superb seamstress, sewing clothes for

her children, creating extraordinarily Halloween costumes, and helping others with their sewing needs. Many

people reached out to ask, “Sue, can you help me fix this.”

Living her life for Jesus was very important to her. She read her Bible every day and prayed continuously

for others. She was very involved in her church. She said her faith grew tremendously going to church at Prairie

Green Church of Christ, learning and worshiping. When Sue was diagnosed with cancer, her life emanated even

more joy. She continued her life, never slowing down, and loving every minute of the time she had been given.

Her parents, Elmer and Barbara, and her husband, Richard, preceded her in death. She was so excited to be

reunited with them.

She is survived by her children, Andrea (Michael) Bailey of Monticello, Joshua (Janine) Williamson of

Marseilles, IL and Benjamin (Anna) Williamson of Fiatt, IL. Survivors also include her grandchildren, Eli, Eliza, and Violet Bailey, Crosby Williamson, and Luke, Samuel, and Nathaniel Williamson. She leaves behind one sister, Sonnie Malone of San Clemente, CA, and two brothers, Paul (Judith) Unger of Bloomington, IL, and Steve (Marilyn) Unger of Hoopeston, IL and many nieces and nephews.

The family celebrates her life and the joys she brought. In accordance with her wishes, her body will be

cremated. Burial of her ashes will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 10th, at Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston with the family. A memorial service for Sue will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 10th at her farm. Reverend Dustin Wells will officiate.

To respect COVID guidelines, the family will have a tent outdoors with plenty of room to spread out, so

everyone can feel comfortable. Guests are asked to bring their own chair.

Memorials may be made to Prairie Green Church of Christ, 278 County Rd 2800 E, Hoopeston, IL 60942.

Blurton Funeral Home in Hoopeston is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family on her everlasting memorial page at:  www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

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