Virginia T. Thompson Williams

Virginia Thompson Williams of Columbus, GA died on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Spring Harbor Assisted Living. Funeral services will be held at Striffler- Hamby Mortuary, Edgewood Hall, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2015. Dr. Jimmy Elder will officiate. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm on Monday.

Mrs. Williams was born in 1919 in Dooly County, GA, daughter of the late Lavalia Peavy and Russell Thompson. She moved to Americus, GA at an early age and received her education in the Americus public schools and Georgia Southwestern State University.

Virginia Williams’ parents were from Dooly County, GA, and she is related to the Thompson, Peavy, Morgan, and Bowen families of that area. Through the Morgans of Macon County, GA, she is descended from George Cadogan Morgan and Richard Price, D.D., F.R.S., 18th century polymaths and dissenters in the United Kingdom.

Virginia came to Columbus in 1942 to work with Western Union Telegraph Company and retired in 1972 with 30 years service. During WWII, Western Union was the main financial and communication hub for service members and their families, to include death notices. While working downtown, she lived at the W.C. Bradley home as a chaperone and helper to Elaine Hammond, the household manager. After Mr. Bradley’s death, she continued to live there with the caretakers, the Azor Grantham family, until her marriage in 1948. Her friendship with “Miss Elaine” and the Grantham family continued throughout their lives.

Virginia was a member of First Baptist Church, Columbus, the Boethian Class, Bible Study #2, and Young in Heart Group. With the Young in Heart, Virginia traveled to all 50 states, Canada, and abroad. She was a talented cook, seamstress, and gardener. She prepared many meals for church events and funerals, sewed costumes, draperies, and other items for her church and family, and shared plants with her many friends and acquaintances. She was known for her annual fig preserves and conserves. At Spring Harbor, she was known as the person to go to for sewing needs. She had a wide circle of friends, from her years of working in downtown Columbus, from her church, and from the community. She also worked as a poll worker for many years.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 52 years, Leon Theo Williams, brothers Emory (Dig) Thompson of Macon, GA and Harry Thompson of Leslie, GA, sister-in-law Thelma Grant of Repton, AL, and brother-in-law Ollie Lee Williams of Alexandria, LA. She is survived by her daughter, Ginger Williams Smith (Steve) of Columbus, her son David Leon Williams (Alea) of Pensacola, FL, sister Joyce Thompson Stovall of Tallahassee, FL, brothers Ernest Thompson of Gardena, CA, Ray Thompson (Rhoda) of Leslie, GA, sisters-in-law Myrtice Ellis of Castleberry, AL and Marie Thompson of Leslie, GA, and brothers-in-law Judson Williams of Mossy Head, FL and Rudolf Williams (Julia) of Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Her grandchildren are Emily Smith, Seattle, WA, Alan Smith, Macon, GA, Rebekah Williams Christie (Jordan), Panama City, FL, Benjamin Williams, Jacksonville, FL, and Griffin Williams of Nashville, TN, great-grandchildren Nora and Dean Christie, as well as thirty-five nieces and nephews.

Virginia resided at Spring Harbor for nine years, and the family thanks the caregivers at Spring Harbor for their professional care, support, and love.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to may send contributions to First Baptist Food Closet, P. O. Box 828, Columbus GA, 31901. Condolences may be expressed at www.shcolumbus. com.