Celia Howell Jones Williams

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Celebrating the life of
Celia Howell Jones WilliamsJuly 16, 1913 - February 03, 2013

Celia Howell Jones Williams Mrs. Bernard Franklin Williams died Sunday, February 3, 2013. She was born in Lynchburg, VA on July 16, 1913. She was the daughter of Celia Howell Jones and Dudley Mitchell Jones. She attended St. Mary's College in Raleigh, NC; Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg and was graduated from Longwood College in Farmville, VA. Following college she taught school in Lynchburg.

Celia married Bernard Franklin Williams of Savannah, GA on October 1, 1938, in St. John's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, VA. They were married for 62 years until his death in 2001. Celia moved to Savannah upon her marriage to "B" who founded and owned Bernard Williams & Company Insurance.

Celia was a faithful member of Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah, where her husband "B" had been a member since his youth. She served on the Board of the Women of Christ Church helping with the Episcopal Home for Girls and the Christ Church Tour of Homes and Gardens. She also was a docent at the church for many years giving tours to visitors, sharing with them the history of Christ Church.

Celia had been a member of the Junior League of Savannah, The Married Woman's Card Club, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia where she served on The Savannah Town Committee and The Garden Club of Savannah. She lived a life of total devotion to God, her family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends will always remember her unselfish thoughtfulness and caring deeds. She always was doing for others and always gave people her beautiful smile, even after she became infirm.

She was much beloved by many. She is survived by her children and their families: Celia W illiams Dunn and her husband J. Laurence Dunn of Savannah and their children Dr.J. Laurence Dunn, Jr. and his wife Sarah of Jacksonville, FL, and Celia Howell of Savannah; B. Franklin Williams, Jr. of Savannah; Richard Dudley Williams and his wife Connie Darby Williams and their children Darby and Dale Sands of Atlanta, GA, Allen and Ellen Williams, and Helen and Ben Johnson of Savannah; Alan Stuart Williams and his wife Judge Claire Cornwell Williams of Savannah and their children Stuart and Woodie Williams, and her great grandchildren Helen Dudley Johnson and Benjamin Warner Johnson Jr . of Savannah, Helen Sands and Celia Ridley Sands of Atlanta and Mary Caroline Dunn "Mimi" of Jacksonville, FL; and Charlotte Amelia Williams of Savannah.

She is also survived by her half sister Shirley Wheeler of Roanoke, VA, her nephew Walter Dasher and his wife Alice of Savannah, and Randy Dasher and his wife Lisa of Seguin, TX, her niece Diana Jones Carter and her husband Hill of Ashland, VA, her cousin Helen Howell Powell of Amherst, VA, and numerous great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews and cousins.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at Christ Church Episcopal Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 2:00pm, led by The Reverend Michael White and The Reverend Sierra Wilkinson . Tim Hall will be the organist. Remembrances may be sent to Christ Church Episcopal, 18 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA, 31401 or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Nell Robinson, Johnnie Mae Snider, Carolyn Robertson, Cora Taylor, the late Carolyn Caldwell, Lucy Cromwell, Janie Evans, Elizabeth Eady, Margaret Gadson, and Hospice Savannah for their kind assistance.

Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

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We only recently heard , through MaryAlice , of the passing away of your mother . We fondly remember her as a loving and caring person , who will certainly be missed very much by the family . Our thoughts are with you. Margot and Bob

- Bob and Margot Jetses, 3708AA, - Other

Dear Celia, I send my condolances to you and your family. Your mother was so special to us all. Seeing her at the O-Club was always a joy.I think Henry especially enjoyed flirting with your mother. I was at convention and could not be at the service. I hear that it was beautiful. My prayers and thoughts were with you. Love, Kay/Katherine

- Kay Garlington, Tybee Island, GA

Celia, Your mother was such a lovely,gracious lady.I'm so glad I knew her. Jean

- Jean Gray, Savannah, GA

Celia, I was so sorry to read of the death of your mother. I remember the interview that I did with them, and how funny she and B were as a couple, and how very lovingly they treated each other. Every time I ever saw Celia, she was so positive and had such a joyful demeanor. That smile could brighten up any day--always felt encouraged and heartened by her presence. She must've been a wonderful mom. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family today. Fondly, JoAnn

- JoAnn Risher, Savannah, GA

Aunt Celia taught me that there was never such ting as a sad day. Every day was special and there was always something to be thankful for. She lived by this creed, day by day, year by year and there were 99 of those years.

- Nevy & Kerstin Clark, Savannah, GA

Such a lovely lady whose bright smile and demeanor were treasured by all who knew her.

- Emilie Stoddart, Ipswich, MA

Celia, We are so sorry to learn of the loss of Big Celia. She was such an amazing woman & great friend to our family. You know how much mom loved her! She led an incredible life & touched countless people. We are all blessed to have known her.

- Harry & Jennifer Tear, Marietta, GA

Celia's laughter, smile and the twinkle in her eyes always brightened everyone's day. I will certainly miss her but I glad I have many happy memories of our trip to Atlanta many years ago. I'm sorry I can't be with you on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all.

- Elizabeth Oxnard, Savannah, GA

So sorry for your loss. I'll always think of her graciousness, and her kindness to me.

- Erica Rollings, Savannah, GA

Dear Celia and Family, We were so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I remember your mother with fond memories when we were in Savannah. She was a beautiful lady.You and all your family are in our prayers. God bless each of you. Bert and Roberta Josey

- Roberta and Bert Josey, Columbia, SC

Dick and Allen my deepest sympathy to you and the family. I had an opportunity to work with Ms. B for years before her retirement, she was a wonderful person and loved by many. Kind regards, Tammy Goss

- Tammy Goss, Jasper, GA

Celia, your precious mother will always be remembered for her graciousness and loving kindness to all who crossed her path. What a lovely person she was and we were honored to have known her. Much love to you and your family, Rebecca and Chip

- Rebecca Freeman, Brevard, NC

Dear Celia, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this sad time. May your mother's memory be everlasting. With our deepest sympathy, Irene and Toby Purdy

- Irene Purdy, Richmond Hill, GA

Miss'B' I cenrtainly will miss you. May God bless you and keep you.

- Lorraine E. Conn, Savannah, GA

Dear Celia and family, Diane and I are very sorry to hear about your lovely mother. We all get through these things as best we can but I don't know anyone more loving, patient, and devoted than you as you cared for her.. What a blessing for me to have seen her in Church last month when she recognized and smiled at us 4 siblings! Another privilege to see the obvious devotion and love in the eyes of that lovely lady next to your Mom who was assisting her. Please tell her my feelings if you get the chance. We will miss your Mom. Love Diane and Spence

- Diane and Spencer Connerat, ,

Aunt Celia will forever live in our hearts. We will never forget how wonderful and loving she was to us and our children Robert and Jennifer. With much love, Randy and Elisa

- Randy & Elisa Dasher, Seguin, TX

- Bob and Margot Jetses, 3708AA, - Other -