A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Wynnbrook Baptist Church with Dr. Kevin Calhoun and Reverend John Fugh officiating. A private committal service at Providence UMC Cemetery in Lumpkin, GA will take place at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Wynn Brook Baptist Church prior to the Celebration of Life service.
Frances was born on December 10, 1928 to the late Troy Holder Castleberry and Evelyn Dowd Castleberry of Lumpkin, GA. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Brady Moore Williamson of Columbus, and husband Porter Taylor Keightley of Union City, TN as well as siblings James Larry Castleberry of Lumpkin, GA, Joyce Castleberry Bisner of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Iva Lou Castleberry Merritt of Weston, GA.
She was a member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church where she was active in Sunday School, the choir and the Prayer Ministry. While living in Tennessee she shared her faith by teaching Precept Bible Studies and Sunday School and leading the community National Day of Prayer. Frances returned to Columbus in 2007 to live at Spring Harbor.
She was the first female Real Estate Broker in Columbus and owned Frances Williamson Realty in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. She was a founding member of the Columbus Soroptimist Club and served as its President. Frances was full of life and loved to have a good time. Examples include her being a frequent winner of the Spring Harbor Halloween Contest and being crowned a Spring Harbor Mardi Gras Queen. A festive square dance was held in her honor to celebrate her ninetieth birthday.
Frances will be remembered for her strong faith, kindness, beauty, beautiful soprano voice, generosity and passion for music. She was a gracious hostess and always put others before herself. Frances was full of joy and embraced life even during her illness. She leaves a legacy of love, laughter, generosity and faith.
She is survived by daughters, Lyn Williamson Westbrook (Joel) of Madison, VA and Ann Williamson of Beaufort, SC, a sister, Barbara Castleberry Carlton of Wauchula, FL. “MawMaw” leaves behind her three grandchildren, Kate Westbrook Hanger (Mike) and Claire Castleberry Westbrook (Greg Cunningham) both of Richmond, VA and William Brady Westbrook of Washington, DC. She was blessed by three great grandchildren, Charlotte Westbrook, Cora Hanger and Brady Hanger. “Aunt Sister” was dearly loved by her many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to recognize and thank the many caregivers who loved and cared for Frances throughout the years, especially, Joyce Yarde who has become like a family member.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Schwob School of
Music, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907. Providence Methodist Church, P.O. Box 758, Lumpkin, GA 31815 or to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.
Fond memories and condolences for the Keightley family may be left at www.shcolumbus.com
