Janine Williams

Janine Williams, widow of Charles Williams, passed away at 7:25 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2011, at Southgate Health Care Center at the age of 91.

Janine was born on April 7, 1921 in Neuilly, France.

She worked as a clerk at the world renowned department store, Le Printemps, in Paris, France. She was a volunteer in the French Resistance in 1942 spreading news by word of mouth and passing out anti-Nazi leaflets. She then joined the French Air Force in order to further serve her country earning the status of sergeant. In 1946 she meet the love of her life, a handsome blond haired blue-eyed American GI named Charles. She married and moved to the United States, settling in Paducah, Ky., to continue her life and raise a family. She was blessed with three children, a son and two daughters. She was heart-broken when preceded in death by her brave American GI, Charles, at the age of 44. Her long life was merely half over at the time of his early death. She and Charles worked together at Western Baptist Hospital where she retired in 1983. After Charles' death she found she could survive as she had before during the war years. She clung to faith, friends, and family while continuing her life. She volunteered at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, Ky., and attended church regularly. She often spoke about the things she learned about Christ from now retired Pastor Paul Donner.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a sister, Michele Hartig, and brother-in-law, John Hartig, of Paducah; a son, Mike Williams of Richmond, Ky.; daughter, Jayne Shankle of Paducah; daughter, Pat Bardo of Lexington, Ky. She leaves two wonderful sons-in-law whom she adored, Michael Bardo and Randall Shankle.

She was preceded in death by her grandchild, Timothy Holmes, whom she loved dearly.

She will be greatly missed by all of her grandchildren, Tiffany Swinford, Teri Shade, Bryan, Melanie, Michael and Max Williams, Leslie and Chrissy Bardo; and great-grandsons, Justin Holmes and Stephen Wayne Swinford; and great-great-grandson, Jackson James Holmes.

Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, December 29, 2011, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Donner and Pastor Corey Aker officiating. Burial will follow in Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

The Williams family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. with readings at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 211 South 21st St., Paducah, KY 42003.

You may light a candle of remembrance and leave a message of sympathy at www.milnerandorr.com.