Celebrating the life of
Jean Beckmann Williams
August 16, 1916 - August 28, 2008
JEAN BECKMANN WILLIAMS
Jean Beckmann Williams of Savannah died Thursday, August 28, 2008.
Mrs. Williams was born in Savannah on August 16, 1916, to Annie Helmken Beckmann and Frederick George Beckmann Sr., and grew up on Ferguson Avenue as the only girl in a family of seven children. After working as a legal secretary in Savannah, she attended Vanderbilt University, where she became the first woman to graduate with a degree in economics. She worked for the Federal Reserve Bank and later the wartime Office of Price Administration in Atlanta. She met Richard L. Williams, and after his return form 3 years of military service in the European theater, they were married on April 6, 1946, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Savannah. While raising three daughters in Atlanta, Mrs. Williams worked as a volunteer in church and school organizations, serving as president of the Atlanta-area Lutheran Church Women. She and her husband returned to Savannah for retirement more than 30 years ago.
An avid reader herself, one of Mrs. William's greatest pleasures in retirement was helping people select books during her 15 years of volunteering at Skidaway Island Village Library. She cared deeply about issues of social justice and human suffering, and was an avid supporter of Lutheran World Hunger Appeal. Mr. & Mrs. Williams were instrumental in the founding of Messiah Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years Richard L. Williams; 3 daughters, Deborah Williams of Evanston, IL; Ann BrantleyTerry of Atlanta; Elizabeth Riley Harrelson John of Savannah; 8 grandchildren, Jason Harrelson Amy of Houston, TX; Jonathan Koomjian of Des Moines, IA; Will Koomjian of Portland, OR; Amanda Brantley of Atlanta; Lauren Brantley and Jessica Brantley of Phoenix, AZ; Camille Harrelson and Clay Harrelson of Savannah; and 2 brothers, Frederick Marjorie Beckmann of Miami, FL; and John Beckmann of Atlantic Beach, FL., and many loved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, September 1, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1 West Ridge Road, Skidaway Island, GA.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at Messiah Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to SAFE Shelter, Second Harvest Bank, or Messiah Lutheran Church Building Fund.
FOX AND WEEKS FUENRAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPLE
Pease sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com
From both of us and the entire Merry Maids family, we were part of your life for fifteen years and you will be sorely missed. Our heart felt condolences to family and friends.
- Diane Hill and Carol Pfeiffer, Savananh, GA
Marilyn and I have such fond memories of Dick and Jean going to Walls and All to visit Elizabeth or go to lunch the latter depending upon how busy she was. We will always remember Jean's sweet smile and demeanor. We rejoice that Jean is with her Lord and Savior with whom there is no more suffering.
- Mr. & Mrs. Joel B. Paskauskas Sr., Pooler, GA
Dick, I am so sorry to hear about Jean. I had no idea she was so ill. May the Lord give you and your family the strength to endure this very difficult time. God Bless You All.
- Verna L. Chapman, Savannah, GA
Dick: Our deepest sympathies to you and your family during this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. God Bless you and your family.
- Matt and Terry Murphy, Savannah, GA
Elizabeth, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of your Mom. There's just something really special about our Mom's. I know you were and have been 'there' for her every step of the way, Elizabeth. I hope you can take comfort from that,now, when it hurts so badly. May the Comforter be so very with you! love, Sharon
- Sharon Clark, Savannah, GA
From both of us and the entire Merry Maids family, we were part of your life for fifteen years and you will be sorely missed. Our heart felt condolences to family and friends.
- Diane Hill and Carol Pfeiffer, Savananh, GA
Marilyn and I have such fond memories of Dick and Jean going to Walls and All to visit Elizabeth or go to lunch the latter depending upon how busy she was. We will always remember Jean's sweet smile and demeanor. We rejoice that Jean is with her Lord and Savior with whom there is no more suffering.
- Mr. & Mrs. Joel B. Paskauskas Sr., Pooler, GA
Dick, I am so sorry to hear about Jean. I had no idea she was so ill. May the Lord give you and your family the strength to endure this very difficult time. God Bless You All.
- Verna L. Chapman, Savannah, GA
Dick: Our deepest sympathies to you and your family during this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. God Bless you and your family.
- Matt and Terry Murphy, Savannah, GA
Elizabeth, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of your Mom. There's just something really special about our Mom's. I know you were and have been 'there' for her every step of the way, Elizabeth. I hope you can take comfort from that,now, when it hurts so badly. May the Comforter be so very with you! love, Sharon
- Sharon Clark, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
