Celebrating the life of
Laura Cecilia Bailey Williams Flowers
February 06, 1915 - October 16, 2010
Laura Cecilia Bailey Williams Flowers, 95, passed away October 16, 2010, in Brunswick, Georgia. Granny Cele, as she was known within her family and Cele to everyone else will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Cele was born February 6, 1915 at Sans Souci, at Vernonburg, Savannah. She was educated in Savannah public schools and graduated from Savannah High, Class of 1932. One of her most fond memories as a young girl was attending the opening of the Cloister at Sea Island, with her parents and siblings. Cele married her first husband, the late Kermit R. Williams 1908-1977 with whom she raised five children in Savannah. She considered raising their health crop of redheads as her greatest accomplishment in life. She married Everett Flowers in 1983. After his death in 1993, she eventually settled in Brunswick where she made her final home with daughter Kay and son-in-law John Tompkins and their extended family.
Cele had a creative mind and was a self-taught artist, painting an abundance of portraits and scenes of old Savannah over her lifetime. With the exception of a few pieces donated to the Church or other institutions, most of her works are cherished throughout the family homes. As a cook, Cele rarely followed a recipe but when she did write one down it would be a work of art, featuring sketches of what the result should look like. Her nut bars and twistys are the stuff of family legend.
A lifelong Episcopalian, she was a communicant of Saint Michael's and All Angels Church, Savannah, for many years. Along with her love of God and family, Cele was passionate about our country's heritage and was keenly aware of current events and politics. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lachlan McIntosh Chapter, Savannah, for more than 50 years and was a font of knowledge concerning her family's history.
Cele was a true Savannah lady, with a genteel manner and a zest for speaking her mind when the occasion warranted. Her creative and sometimes colorful usage of the English language in her later years was the source of much family mirth and amusement.
Cele's surviving sisters include Irene Bailey Schiel and Elizabeth Bailey Greenway, both of Mobile, Alabama. She was predeceased by her parents, Alexander O'Bannon Bailey and Laura Cecilia Harkness Bailey; brothers Alexander O'Bannon Bailey, Jr., Samuel Harkness Bailey, William de Maupas Bailey, Willis Greenwood Bailey and Pvt. Ansel de Maupas Bailey; sister Miriam Bailey Bostwick, and grandson John Stuart Lambertson.
Surviving their mother are Joan Lambertson of Brunswick, Georgia; Judith Stokes Ron of Buford, Georgia; Kay Tompkins John of Brunswick, Georgia; Lynn Brown Donald of Snellville, Georgia and Charles Lawton Williams Julia of Savannah, Georgia.
Her grandchildren include Susan Lambertson of Mocksville, North Carolina; Kay Shega Paul of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; William Coney Lomel of Atlanta, Georgia; Ashley Brian Lomel Angela of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Laura Ann Daniel John of Brunswick, Georgia; Edward Wesley Tompkins Scarlett of Brunswick, Georgia; Kelly Brown of Decatur, Georgia; Joshua Brown of Athens, Georgia; Cecelia Bostick Williams of Savannah, Georgia and Margaret Lawton Williams of Santa Monica, California. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren.
Our family is comforted knowing she sits in Heaven with her Lord Jesus.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, Georgia, 13525.
Dear Charlie and Julia, I was sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. After losing my Mother just a short time ago, the loss is a hard one to bear. My prayers are with you and your family.
- Neil Victor, Savannah, GA
We are so blessed to have known Granny Cele. She was a great lady with much talent and knowledge and a joy to listen to and learn from. She was always very encouraging and loved her family and friends so much.
- Bobbie and Frank Stephens, Savannah, GA
John,Kay and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Anna
- Anna Tompkins, Savannah, GA
I have never forgot how kind your family was to me when I was young. I have wonderful memories of spending time at the home on Waters Ave,sleeping on the porch and playing in the grape arbors in the back yard.These are some of the best memories of my child hood.My prayers go out to the family.
- Blanche Forehand-Butler, Savannah, GA
Kay, just to let you know I am thinking of you. I remember your mother very well and that she had questions about our decorating ideas. lol
- Sophia, st.simons island, GA
Kay, just to let you know I am thinking of you. I remember your mother very well and that she had questions about our decorating ideas. lol
- Sophia, st.simons island, GA
She was loved by everyone who knew her.
- Sharon Peck, Saint Simons Island, GA
Though we have never met I do know your son and Daughter in law, Charlie, Julia their children Molly and CeCe, They are cherished friends of me and my family and know you will be greatly missed.
- Rita Uhlenbrock, Savannah, GA
Dear Charlie and Julia, I was sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. After losing my Mother just a short time ago, the loss is a hard one to bear. My prayers are with you and your family.
- Neil Victor, Savannah, GA
We are so blessed to have known Granny Cele. She was a great lady with much talent and knowledge and a joy to listen to and learn from. She was always very encouraging and loved her family and friends so much.
- Bobbie and Frank Stephens, Savannah, GA
John,Kay and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Anna
- Anna Tompkins, Savannah, GA
I have never forgot how kind your family was to me when I was young. I have wonderful memories of spending time at the home on Waters Ave,sleeping on the porch and playing in the grape arbors in the back yard.These are some of the best memories of my child hood.My prayers go out to the family.
- Blanche Forehand-Butler, Savannah, GA
Kay, just to let you know I am thinking of you. I remember your mother very well and that she had questions about our decorating ideas. lol
- Sophia, st.simons island, GA
Kay, just to let you know I am thinking of you. I remember your mother very well and that she had questions about our decorating ideas. lol
- Sophia, st.simons island, GA
She was loved by everyone who knew her.
- Sharon Peck, Saint Simons Island, GA
Though we have never met I do know your son and Daughter in law, Charlie, Julia their children Molly and CeCe, They are cherished friends of me and my family and know you will be greatly missed.
- Rita Uhlenbrock, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
