Jerrie Marie Williams, 59 of Youngsville, NC passed away Friday, January 24, 2020 at Rex Hospital surrounded by family and friends.
She was born in Wheeling, WV on August 12, 1960, a daughter of the late Dolores Monseur Palotay and Rezso Palotay.
She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Greg Williams; two sons, Justin Abercrombie and Brandon Abercrombie, three sisters; Diane Palotay of Wheeling, WV, Susan (Harold) Jarrett of Wheeling, WV, Jeanette (Michael) Rawls of Jacksonville, FL; three brothers; John Palotay of Wheeling, WV, Ray Palotay Jr. of Wheeling, WV, and David (Lisa) Palotay of Tiltonsville, OH, three nieces, Kristen Jarrett, Olivia Palotay, and Julia Palotay.
Jerrie will be remembered as a loving mother, devoted wife, loyal friend, and trusted advisor. Her
passions were family, friends, and her Yorkie dogs. She enjoyed life to the fullest, whether sitting by the pool with friends or working on her next furniture or decorating project. Her love, care, and compassion were evident in everything she touched. If you needed a shoulder to lean on or advice, she was always available – day or night. Her love, understanding, and support were always guaranteed! She was not afraid to voice her opinions - popular or not, but always from a place of love and passion for what she believed in. Those who were close to her will feel an empty place where she stood, which was always right by your side. Her words of encouragement and love will forever live on in our memories to help sustain us. Thank you, my love, for who you are and your positive influence on our lives. Forever in our hearts, never to be forgotten.
Friends will be received on Saturday, February 1, 2020, a celebration gathering from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 South Wilmington St, Raleigh. A Memorial Service will follow 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Park, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27615 or Saving Grace Animals for Adoption, see more information at www.savinggracenc.org

The one word that comes to mind when I think of Jerrie is vibrant! She loved life and everyone involved in hers. There was a place for all of us in her heart. Everyone she knew was special and she loved that about each one of us. It didn't matter if you were a friend from childhood or someone she just met; her heart had room for everyone. They say it takes a village and we were hers and she was ours.

She adored her family and they were her world. Her boys, Justin and Brandon were her legacy and she was their biggest fan. Greg was her soulmate and best friend. When you add in her Yorkie fur-babies, Crumbles and Zoey, Jerrie knew she was blessed with an amazing family.

Jerrie approached everything that she did with vim and vigor. If it was tackling a household project or putting up her gigantic Christmas tree, she brought and enthusiasm and excitement to all that she did. If she wasn't elbow deep in furniture restorations, she was dressing up Zoey in outfits or passionately posting on Facebook or Twitter. That same passion was transferred to her love for each of us. Her friendship was true, and her love ran deep.

It is impossible to stand up here and surmise Jerrie and her life in a few sentences because she lived life out loud! She loved her Toyota Solara Convertible and driving to the beach. Her house with Greg was an oasis, not because of the building but because of the love and laughter within it's walls. The pool was her solace and reprieve from the chaos of life. This is where she could swim and let the sun kiss her sweet face and bask in its warmth. And Jerrie and Greg were happy to share this tranquility with their family and friends.

But I'm not telling you all anything new. She touched all your lives. What I can tell you is what she meant to me, My Jerrie. She was my big sister from another mister. My confidante, my voice of reason, my sounding board, my best friend, my lifeline and one of my biggest fans. She was the Ethel to my Lucy (sometimes to our hubby's dismay). I could vent and proclaim that I was in the right (even if I clearly was wrong) and Jerrie would let me spout. Then calmly, she would reel me in and somehow, without making me feel small or my feelings insignificant, she could open my eyes to the reality of the situation. This was a gift that she had, and I'm blessed that she shared it with me.

And then there was the laughter. You know what I'm talking about, that beautiful Jerrie laugh that made you smile until your cheeks hurt. Her contagious laughter that would make you join in until your stomach hurt or if you're like me and over  40, pee your pants! If we weren't laughing about the escapades of our families, we found humor in ourselves. Laughter truly was the best medicine.

But it wasn't just Jerrie that touched my life, it was Greg and her entire family. Coming from MA, my husband, Dean and out two boys Cameron & Collin did not have immediate family here in NC until 6 years ago. This amazing couple opened their hearts and home to us and became our chosen family. You see, in this life we have our biological family but when they cannot be near, God puts special people like the Williams in your life. Aunt Jerrie and Uncle Greg have helped raise our boys just as they helped so many of you!

I will miss her smile and the fuchsia lipstick she loved so much. I will miss her laughter and how she laughed out loud at my antics and jokes, I will miss her hugs and kisses and how it always took us 30 minutes to say goodbye because there was just one more thing we had to say! I will miss our family celebrations, girl's day at the beach, shopping excursions and Carrabba's Sangria. I will miss how she said that we were lucky ladies to have Greg and Dean as husbands (and we both knew she was right). I will miss her enthusiasm over politics, something I am not wellversed in. I will miss how excited she got when she came home to her puppies. I will miss her beautiful brown eyes and how they sparkled when she spoke of her husband Greg. I will miss all that made Jerrie…well, Jerrie!

But while my heart is trying to heal and all our minds are reeling with questions and grief, at her passing, please find comfort in this…Jerrie is at peace because the bible says it is so. We have the promise that we will see each other again. I am so honored to be a part of her life that has been able to intertwine with all of you and I take comfort in knowing that we will continue to care for Greg, Justin, Brandon, and her family just as she cared for all of us.

In honor of Jerrie's beautiful life and vibrant spirit, let's continue together as her tribe so that no one fights alone. God bless you all and OUR Jerrie!
Love always,
Darcy