Erika E. Williams

Erika E. Williams, age 88, died Sept. 6, 2018. She is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, George E. Williams; children, Ed Williams of Hermitage and Rebecca (Becky) Fontaine of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Ryan and Reed Williams, Amber Smith and Jordan Fontaine; four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Elly Muller and Lucie Eckstein of Germany. She was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah S. Williams.

Erika was born Feb. 4, 1930 in Southern Germany to Edmund and Finny Marschall, growing up in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. She met George while supporting the production of training manuals at the U.S. Army command post in Fussen. She previously taught English to German high school students.

Leaving behind family and friends, she came to America with George and her two young children in the late Fifties and soon began studying for her U.S. citizenship. She accomplished this goal before the family moved to Hermitage in 1964. In the following years she was the well-known ‘Avon Lady’ of Hermitage Hills, gift shop manager at The Hermitage, and much-appreciated school secretary at Buena Vista Elementary. Many, many friends were made on the tennis courts and golf course at Ravenwood Country Club.

Erika was a never-wavering Christian, having received the gift of eternal life from her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Along with George, she attended The Donelson Fellowship on McGavock Pike for many years.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 9, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hermitage Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 1 p.m. A private entombment will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park.