Leah Jean Williams

Leah Jean Williams, 50, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande died May 13 at St. Anthony Hospital. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Williams was born May 4, 1955, to Eugene and Josephine Amanda Shimanek in Stayton. She graduated from La Grande High School and in 1978 from beauty school in Pendleton. She worked in Pendleton and Portland, most recently at the Eastern Oregon Training Center as an aide. She was the Blue Mountain Rodeo Princess in 1970. She married Lloyd Williams in Pendleton. The couple were later divorced.

She had many hobbies and talents but her passion was horses. She groomed and showed horses for years and won many first-place ribbons. She enjoyed gardening and could make anything flourish.

Survivors include sons, Ryan Williams of Pendlton and Mack Cross of Beaverton; siblings, Lynne Dixon and David E. Smith, both of La Grande, Janet Jones of Gresham, Carol Hutson Smith, Dennis D. Smith of Hawaii and Daryl Shimanek of Portland; and other relatives.