Eleanor L. Williams

Eleanor Lucille Williams (nee Freeland), 93, of Oxford went home to her Lord and Savior on June 11, 2023. To her friends she was “Ellie” and to her parents and family of origin she was “Ellner”. She was a wonderful and loving Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother and will be missed dearly. Eleanor was born in Hornell, NY on November 23rd, 1929 to the late John Glenn Freeland and Lula Edna Freeland (nee Prentice) of Canisteo, NY. On September 8th 1972 she was married to her husband and partner of almost 51 years, Gerald Williams of Oxford who survives. She was predeceased by her two sons, Donald and Steven Johnson; daughter-in-law, Christine Johnson; brother, Francis “Jerry” Freeland and his wife, Helen. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, David Johnson of Johnson City; daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and James Fergus of Greene; in-laws, Linda Covell and Danny and Kathy Frayer of Oxford; grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Fergus of Greene, Matthew and Jessica Schadewald-Fergus of McDonough, Jamie Fergus and Stephen Moskwa of Concord, NC, Amanda Johnson Trenkamp of Villa Hills, KY, James and Jamie Hundley of Matthews, NC; great-grandchildren, Mark and Brooklyn Trenkamp, Ayden and Saryn Hundley, Autumn Fergus and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her lifelong best friend, Freda Kelly of Canisteo; cousins, Pam Nicholson of Horseheads and Cynthia Norton of Canisteo. Eleanor had over a 50-year work history and retired from the Chenango County Office for the Aging. She also worked at the Page Seed Company, the Norwich Shoe Factory, Greene Central Schools, Oxford Academy and Central Schools, and the Raymond Corporation. Eleanor loved her family and had a strong moral compass. She reminded everyone to do the right thing even when no one was looking, to respect and to love one another and to love the Lord. She loved visiting with friends and family, her chocolates, watching her television programs especially Elvis and Rock Hudson and reminiscing about her time growing up over the Canisteo Movie Theater. She also was proud that back in the day she was a Cheerleader and Queen of her Senior Ball in Highschool. She enjoyed taking bus trips and casino fun with her husband and sister-in-law Marie. She was known to offer a beverage or a piece of her favorite candy to her family and visitors always striving to make others comfortable. Her Grandchildren will remember her not only for her love but also for the stash of candy in her purse, her no bake cookies and her green tomato jelly. Over the last several years Eleanor endured Alzheimer’s and was very proud to have written the following poem when she first started to lose her memory. She was able to recall this poem regularly and happily shared it with others. “My get up and go got up and left, where do you think it could be? I wonder around, not making a sound, in hope it comes back to me. There it is beside that tree just patiently waiting for me. I’ll scoop it up and with any luck, it will come back to me. Getting old as you can see has no effect on me, as keeping in touch with family and friends is all I really need”. Graveside services will be held 10:00am Thursday, June 15 at Riverview Cemetery in Oxford, NY. Pastor Norman Holtz will be officiating. Her family would like to thank Chenango County Hospice for their loving care during these past few weeks. This is not good-bye but rather until we meet again! We love you! Arrangements are under the direction of Root Funeral Home, 23 N. Chenango St, Greene, NY 13778 and condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com.

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