Darlene Thurman Williams

DARLENE WILLIAMS

Joyce Darlene Thurman Williams, 85, of Charleston, MO, died Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, MO.

Born July 17, 1940, at Anniston, MO, to the late Lindsay P. “Boydie” Thurman and Bertha Ann Littrell Thurman, Darlene grew up in Anniston and attended the Anniston grade schools. She went on to attend Charleston High School where she was a cheerleader. Darlene started as young woman working at the Warren’s Café and then worked as an aide at Bertrand Nursing Center for a number of years. She later went to work at Walmart and remained there for 23 years until her retirement. She was of Nazarene belief and attended the Church of the Nazarene in Charleston until its closing.

On June 25, 1994, she married Wendell Curtis Williams, and he survives of the home.

Also surviving are her children, Lindsay “Linnie” Cross and Renee Cross Medina; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; her brother, Monte (Janie) Thurman; her sister, Ann Thurman Oliver; her nieces, Leslie Butler and Ashley (Randy) Casey; and a number of cousins and extended family members.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Edward Cross, her nephew, Mark Todd Butler and her brother-in-law, David Oliver.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Her cousin, Wally Littrell, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Anniston Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.