Nell Gilreath Williams

Mrs. Nell Mae Gilreath Williams, age 100, Rome, GA, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at her residence. Daughter of the late Lee Gilreath and De Ette Richardson Gilreath, Mrs. Williams was born on March 28, 1916. She was preceded in death by her two brothers and her sister. Graduating from Trion High School in 1933, Mrs. Williams later in life completed courses in the Business School of Berry College. On June 17, 1939, she married James Henry Williams who preceded her in death in 1974. Their wedding nuptials were the first formal nuptials conducted at Trion First Baptist Church.

Following decades of service at Berry College in the Admissions Office, Office of the Dean and later in the Music Department, Mrs. Williams retired from the college at the age of 75 in 1992.

Mrs. Williams is survived by two daughters, Donna Kay Williams New and Pamela De Ette Williams Leonard, both of Rome. Surviving grandchildren include Chancellor Winburn New, Sr. and his wife Rachelle Sheevy New of Woodstock, Georgia; Erin Rachel Leonard Ragsdale and her husband Robert Inman Ragsdale III of Roswell, Georgia; and Pamela Elizabeth Leonard Hefner of Dunwoody, Georgia. Surviving great-grandchildren include Matthew Carter Moore of Trussville, Alabama, student at the University of Montevallo; Chancellor Winburn (C.J.) New, Jr. of Woodstock; Robert Inman Ragsdale IV and Madeline Williams Ragsdale of Roswell. Numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins survive including beloved nephew Christopher Patrick Smith of Marietta, Georgia and cherished cousin Hildred Cagle Thompson.

A lifelong member of Rome First Baptist Church, Mrs. Williams was active earlier in church Bible-study groups, mission activities, also serving as Sunday school teacher and Missions Director for early childhood mission groups. In the community, she served as Secretary of the Salvation Army Auxiliary and delivered hundreds of Meals on Wheels during years of dedicated service.

Funeral services for Mrs. Williams were held graveside at West Hill Cemetery in Trion, Georgia, officiated by Dr. Floyd Roebuck at 10:30 AM Saturday, June 11, 2016 followed by visitation of friends in the Dining Room of First Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia, from 1:00-2:00 PM.

As a long-life advocate of education, the family is requesting in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Nell Gilreath Williams Memorial Scholarship, C/O the Office of Advancement, Box 69 Berry College, Mt. Berry, Georgia 30149.