Velma "Jean" Williams

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Velma “Jean” Williams, age 95, of the Knottsville community in Grafton, WV, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Jean was born on July 18, 1930 in Grafton to the late Harley McCartney and Lila Nestor McCartney.

A lifelong resident of the Grafton area, Jean graduated from Grafton High School in 1948. A devoted woman of faith, Jean joined Knottsville United Methodist Church in 1959, where she found great joy in fellowship and serving her community for many decades.

A homemaker and dedicated wife and mother, Jean was known for her kindness and dedication to her family. She was a member of the Glade Run Homemaker Club/Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS). She was well-known for her delectable home cooking and lively social gatherings. Whether she was tending to her vibrant flower gardens, piecing together a cherished quilt, or canning the season's harvest, her hands were rarely still and always creating something beautiful for those she loved. Her unforgettable 'Gramma-isms' were the soundtrack to family gatherings, leaving her family with a treasure trove of sayings that will be recounted with love and laughter for generations.

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband Leonard Williams and son-in-law Charles “Chuck” Duckworth. She is survived by two daughters, Sheila Keys (Jeffrey) and Rhonda Duckworth; three grandchildren, Lauren Royce, Tyler Keys (Mary Ruth), and Ian Duckworth; and one great-grandson, Henry Keys; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends will be received at Bartlett Funeral Home in Grafton on May 19, 2026 from 3pm to 7pm. A funeral service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at the funeral home on May 20, 2026 at noon with Pastor Amy Morrow officiating. Interment will follow at 1pm at West Virginia National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the patient, dedicated medical professionals at Taylor Healthcare Center for their compassionate care during Jean’s final years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Knottsville United Methodist Church in Jean’s honor.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Williams family.

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