Earlene Williams

Earlene, the daughter of Riley and Hazel (Coleman) Knight, was born on June 22, 1935, in Seminole. She attended Strother Schools, where she graduated with the class of 1953. On January 24, 1954, Earlene married Claude Keyes, in Illinois; Claude preceded her in death on September 21, 1993. On February 29, 1996, she married Alvin Derl Williams, in Seminole; Derl passed away on February 18, 2020. She was a faithful member of Harvey Road Baptist Church for over 50 years.

One of the greatest joys in Earlene’s life was being a mother to her two daughters, Terri (Keyes) Marquis and Sheri (Keyes) Sleigh. Earlene and her first husband, Claude, adopted Terri and Sheri as infants and enjoyed supporting their daughters in all of their interests, especially athletic endeavors. This love of sports and family then continued with the birth of their grandchildren, Riley, Sawyer, Savannah, Scout and Seth. Earlene could be counted on to attend every sporting event, along with Derl, and would often bring Gatorade for the whole team as well as her grandchildren.

Earlene, while a loving mother and grandmother, was also known for her sheer bluntness which kept family gatherings entertaining. She enjoyed camping, and traveled to several different lakes around the state with Derl. She also enjoyed watching sporting events, particularly watching her grandchildren, and she was also a fan of the OKC Thunder, and OU softball. Every Friday, like clockwork, Earlene and her sister-in-law, Naoma, had hair appointments, followed by breakfast at Boom A Rang Diner. There was nothing, however, as important to Earlene as time spent with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Claude Keyes, and Derl Williams; parents, Riley and Hazel Knight; daughter, Sheri Sleigh; great granddaughter, Tillie Marquis; brothers, Earl Knight, Louis (Hoot) Knight, Jackie Knight and Gene Knight and sisters-in-law, Frances Knight and Kitty Knight.

Earlene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Rick Marquis, of Seminole; grandchildren Savannah Sleigh, Riley and Amelia Marquis, Sawyer and Grace Marquis, Scout Sleigh, Seth Sleigh, Kyle Barnes, Summer Barnes (Kaleb Seifried) and Cindy Smith (Rick) ; great grandchildren, Elizabeth Mae Seifried, Hagan Marquis, and Preston Marquis; sister-in-law, Naoma Knight; dear friend, Lynne Welch and many other family members and friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., at Swearingen Funeral Home, in Seminole. Interment will follow at Little Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Rickey Marquis, Riley Marquis, Sawyer Marquis, Mickey Knight, Tim Wood and Paul Gober.

Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.