Joy Fitzsimons Williams

Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Gordon Dean Williams; parents, Joy Draper and Edward Owen Fritzsimons; sister, Lily Fritzsimons Weill; brother, George O’Keefe Fritzsimons; and son David Taylor Williams, II.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Fritzsimons Jones (Dr. Robert); daughter, Joy Williams Wilson; sons, Gordon Dean Williams, Jr. and Charles Eric Williams II, daughter-in-law, Valerie Oakley Williams Harrison (Lynn); 5 granddaughters; 4 great-grandsons; and several much loved nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Williams was a native of Charlotte, NC where she attended Charlotte City Schools and Ashley Hall in Charleston, SC. She graduated in 1940. She attended Queens College for 3 years and was a member of Chi Omega. During World War II she volunteered as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide. While her husband was overseas during the war and when he attended and graduated from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce in Philadelphia, she worked as a medical secretary.

The Williams’ moved to Greensboro, NC in 1950 where her husband worked for Cone Mills. He transferred to Gadsden from 1956-1959 and worked at the Dwight Mill.

She was an active member of the Senior League in Charlotte, NC, Greensboro, NC and Mexico City.

In the 1960’s she was a Girl Scout Leader and hosted a monthly Red Cross Radio Program. Mrs. Williams was elected Secretary of Devotional Life for the ECW for Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina three years in the 1960’s. In addition to planning devotions, she organized Silent Retreats for the ECW with Retired Bishops of the Episcopal Church presiding.

She was a lifetime member of the Episcopal Church. She sang in choirs for 60 years, served as President of the ECW and formed and directed several junior choirs. She served on the Vestry and was a lector for 30 years. She sang “golden oldies” in retirement homes for 15 years. She volunteered for 10 years at the Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, NC and was Director of the Candy Striper and Pilot Youth Programs. She was elected Mother of the Year in Greensboro, NC in 1967.

After returning to Gadsden in 1975, she was active in the Little Theater and was a charter member of the Cultural Arts League. She served for 10 years as Director of Volunteers at the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital. She started a Candy Striper and Youth program and trained adult volunteers to assist in the ER and ICU waiting areas.

Her hobbies were reading, music, sewing, knitting, golf and bridge.

Four of Mrs. Williams’s grandparents traced their heritage to Colonial America and fought in the Revolution. One was General William Alexander Graham, who was Secretary of the Navy and Governor of North Carolina from 1845-1849. One great-grandfather was General William Franklin Draper, who was a congressman from Massachusetts and US ambassador for Italy. His family invented the Draper Loom, which is still being used in countries around the world.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. Brown Ave. Rainbow City, AL 35906.

The family wishes to thank her church family and the entire staff of the Southside medical Clinic, and Dr. Vance Plumb, UAB.

Her favorite tribute was written to her on Valentine’s Day 2008, by her granddaughter, Joy Draper Wilson (Joy #4) “She is like a tree that has seen all seasons and endured them with grace, beauty, and compassion. She has formed out lives from joy and goodness. She has sheltered us when we hand none. The storms of life could not touch us if we lay under the stalwart branches. We grew strong and true beneath the canopy of her warm heart. Her faith is our sunlight.