Emma Louise Williams

Emma Louise Williams, 88, of Topeka, peacefully passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at her home at the Gardens at Aldersgate.

Emma Louise was born April 8, 1938 in Waco, Texas, to William D. Sims Sr., and Bernice (Ray) Sims. She attended J. Newton Jenkins Elementary School from 1st through 8th grade. Emma attended A.J. Moore High School from 9th through 12th grade, and she graduated in 1956.

On October 5, 1957, Emma married Robert F. Williams. To this union three children were born: Robert (Bob) Frank Jr, Vercinda Joy, and Bart Lafonte. They celebrated 65 years of marriage, before Robert’s passing February 5, 2023. As a military wife, Emma traveled to several places. They lived in Texas, Alabama,Wyoming, Minnesota, the British Foreign Territory, Bermuda, and Kansas. Settling in Topeka, Emma was a dedicated wife and mother. She worked as a nurse’s aide at St Francis Hospital. She attended Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.

Emma loved spending time with her family, and she enjoyed following and supporting the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Team. Once at a Royals game she was selected the fan of the day. She was very fond of the family pets: a cat named Missy, a parrot named Big Man, and two dogs named Duke and Cunningham.

Emma was preceded in death by her father, William D. Sims Sr, mother, Bernice Sims, husband, Robert F. Williams Sr, daughter, Vercinda Joy Williams, son, Bart Lafonte Williams, brother, William D. Sims Jr, and brother Carl V. Sims.

To cherish her memory: son, Robert “Bob” Williams Jr and wife Lila of Wichita; grandchildren, Eric Williams and wife Barb of Wichita; Miya Butler and husband William of Lawrence; Ian Williams of Wichita; great grandchildren: Jolie Peng-Williams of Lawrence, Zoe Williams and Chaz Williams of Wichita; siblings: Theresa Reece of Waco, Tx., Mary C Rice of Dallas, Tx., Dorothy Antomattei of Clarksville Tn., Herman Sims of Dallas, Tx., and a host of relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery, and Emma will be laid to rest with her husband on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 1:30p.m.

Memorial contributions should be made to Helping Hands and the Humane Society, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603.