Barbara Ann Rackley Williams

Barbara Ann Rackley Williams, 79, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2014 after a courageous fight with brain cancer. Born on January 12, 1935 in Nash County, North Carolina; she was the daughter of the late Elisha Mann Rackley and Mamie Anna Holland Rackley; and wife of the late Oliver Kenneth “Huck” Williams. Barbara was preceded in death by five siblings: Clifton, Frances, Clyde, Mildred and Jackie Rackley. Barbara grew up near Nashville, NC and raised her family in neighboring Rocky Mount. She and her husband moved to Apex, NC in 2006.

Barbara retired after a lengthy career with PNC Bank, spanning back to the days of Peoples Bank. However, her work outside the home did not define who she was. First and foremost, she was a wonderful, caring mother to her children and loving wife to her husband of more than 50 years. When asked, she would say “My children are my life”. She loved them dearly and without restraint. When asked, all her children will say they loved her beyond reason.

In recent years she came to hold great affection for all the ladies of the Magnolia “Lunch Bunch”. While their meals together and book club meetings were always fun and eventful, she particularly enjoyed the afternoons spent playing Scrabble. She was hard to beat and swears she never cheated.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children: J. Renee Williams (Mark Handschy) of Cary, NC, Kenneth A. Williams (Koren Taylor) of Clover, SC, J. Clifton Williams and wife Lynn of Macon, GA, Robin Lynn Williams of Rock Hill, SC, and Lisa Williams Weaver and husband M. Coit of Apex, NC; five grandchildren: Jessica H. LeValley and husband Ross, Judson R. Williams, M. Coit Weaver, Jr., Tyler S. Williams and Olivia Lane Weaver; four great-grandchildren: Kiera, Grayson and Zane LeValley and Drayden Hoyle; one brother: Richard A. Rackley of Garner; one sister-in-law: Ramona Williams Lyerly of Little River, SC, her nieces and nephews, and by many other family and friends.

A memorial service to honor the life of Barbara Williams will be held on Saturday, September 13th at 5:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home, with family to receive friends following. A private family graveside service will be held at Pineview Cemetery on Sunday.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the wonderful people at Duke Cancer Center, Duke University Medical Center and Rex Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center of Apex for the outstanding level of care they provided for Barbara.

The family suggests memorial contributions to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710.