Karen J. Williams

Karen “Juice” Williams, 64, our beloved mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend gained her wings on February 3, 2025, at North Kansas City Hospital in North Kansas City, Missouri.

Our queen was born on March 19, 1960, in Sunflower, Mississippi to Lonzio Baskin and Luella Richard (Shurn).

Juice grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri area, where she graduated from Lincoln High School. After high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Ricky A. Williams Sr., in December of 1978, in KCMO. They were married for 16 years and with this union there came five blessings: Rickeasha L. Williams, Ricky A. Williams Jr. (deceased), Randy A. Williams, Remesha S. Williams, and Resasha N. Williams.

After high school, she began her journey as a hardworking woman in the workforce. Karen worked for the United States Military for over 20 years doing various jobs.

Boy, did she love to throw down in the kitchen! She had a keen sense of taste. Karen could eat something and tell you exactly what was in it. When she wasn’t cooking, she was sewing pillows, upholstering furniture and making blankets. But it didn’t stop there, she enjoyed being a part of the church’s hospitality committee. Karen got a kick out of serving others and making their bellies dance with her food.

Later in life she married James E. Williams Jr. in August of 1994, and they were married for 19 years.

Karen was preceded in death by her father Lonzio Baskin and her eldest son Ricky A. Williams Jr.

She leaves behind her mother Luella Shurn, four sisters: Catherine Rice, Lula Williams, Vera Murphy and Bridgette Harris; one brother Percy McIntosh; thirteen grandchildren: Davonte Moore, Terry Edwards, Malachi Lindsey-Williams,  Me’Lysha Williams, Zamire Williams, Semaj Williams, Ri’Niyah Coomer, Ta’Riyah Thomas, Rashad Williams, Racolby Williams, Ty’ Yhire Thomas, Ja’Kai Brown, Xy’Kel Brown, and a host nephews.