LaDonna Gail Williams

LaDonna Gail Williams, beautifully known as “Gail”, was born on July 20, 1965, the eight children of ten children of Rev. Henry C. Giles ad Virginia Mae Osborn-Giles. She grew up in a large family and understood the importance of family and sharing.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Eastern Star Baptist Church where she served as a choir member.  She later united with Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and was an active member of the choir. Her trademark song was “Oh, How Precious."

LaDonna grew up in Gurdon and was a member of the Gurdon Go-Devils Jr and Sr High School basketball teams. She was fun-loving and well-liked. She graduated in 1982 and later attended the Arkadelphia Beauty College where she earned her cosmetologist license. Believing that she can do all things, she opened her beauty shop, “The Looks of Essence."

Gail loved children and that love inspired her to learn more. She continued her education at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope where she would eventually earn an associate degree in Child Development and later an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Her skills allowed her to work at Hours of Joy Daycare Center, Happy Hour, Peake Rosenwald School-Dawson Co-Op. She was currently studying for a bachelor’s degree at Western Governor’s University.

On May 4, 2002, Gail and Ricky were united as one and were inseparable. In her spare time, Gail enjoyed the company of her family and close friends. She loved to entertain and often hosted gatherings of all types at her home. Their home was the gathering place for the kids and grandkids, as well as, family get-togethers and holidays. Gail was a supportive wife, a loving mother, a fun grandmother, and a caring sister; above all she was a child of God.

Above all, Gail will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to Christ. She took pride in providing the best for her husband and children. On Monday, October 12, 2020, Gail passed from this life. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by one brother, Earnest “Pokey” Giles, and her sister, Henrietta “Ree” Giles-Stitt.

Her memories will linger with her husband, Ricky Williams; five children, Tracy (Sam) Bell of Gurdon, Emmanuel (Shea) Williams of Hot Springs, Tamarea Henry of Gurdon, Jerrik (Bryan) Biley of Arkadelphia and Jeronica (Jeff) Henry of Gurdon; fourteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves five sisters, Virginia Charles of Gurdon, Gearlene (Tex) Killingsworth of Arkadelphia, Carolyn (Marshall) Watson of Hot Springs and Amy Giles of Gurdon; two brothers, James H. (Monica) Giles, Sr., of Arkadelphia and Phillip (Vinita) Giles of Arkadelphia; sisters-in-law, Tenya Beaty, Bobbie Reed, Angela CaBaong, and Polly Lever; brother-in-law, Doyle Glenn, Paul Gatlin, George Hawthorne, Stacy Hawthorne, Tracy Hawthorne, and Gavin Hawthorne, as well as, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church family.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Williams Funeral Home, 1626 Logan Street. Final tributes to her life will be shared on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at the Pavilion at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church with Rev. Johnny Harris, officiating and her brother, Presiding Elder James. H. Giles, Sr., eulogist. The committal service and final resting place will be at Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Cameron Dickerson, Greg Rhodes, Torey Dixon, LaDaron Johnson, Aaron Charles, and Naja Hawthrone.

Today, we celebrate the life of a dedicated and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and most importantly, a child of God.

We shall not mourn her passing but shall rejoice for a life well-lived. A life filled with love, joy, happiness, and unwavering love for children. Gail gave her all to the Lord and now is added to his great and blessed family in the world beyond our vision, a place not made by human hands, a place we call Heaven.

Thank you for the outpouring of love and sympathy was we tarry this journey called death. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8