Mary Louise Williams

Mary “Sweetie” Williams passed from this earth on Friday, March 29, 2024, surrounded by love from family and friends.

She was born 102 years ago on Torry Island, near the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee in South Florida.

Mary was the fifth of six children born to Phillip H. Lee and Nina C. Lee.

In 1942 she married the love of her life, Robert F. Williams (deceased) and they had three children, Robert F. Williams, Jr. (deceased), Paul S. Williams, and Nina (Williams) Lawrence.

She was a business sales supervisor for Southern Bell/BellSouth (AT&T) in Hollywood, Florida, and retired after 30 years of dedicated service. After retirement, Mary, together with her husband and oldest son, moved to Rabun County to be close to her daughter, Nina, and her beloved grandchildren.

Better known as “Sweetie” to a host of loving family members and friends, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by two children, Paul S. Williams of Tiger, Georgia and Nina Lawrence of Clayton, six grandchildren, Kimberlee Baldwin Coffee of Scaly Mountain, NC, Rabun Martin and husband Ashley Martin of Rabun Gap, Georgia, Siobhan Costner and husband Greg Costner of Cairo, Georgia, Memrie Baldwin of Tiger, Sharon Shelnut and husband Lance Shelnut also of Tiger, Georgia and Michael Lawrence and wife Jessica of Stuart, Florida.

In addition, Mary is survived by nine great grandchildren, Lukas Cook and wife Téa of Clayton, Dakota Costner, Jacob Costner of Cairo, Georgia, Tolvin Stiles of Cashiers, NC, Quillen Martin, Sadie Martin, Brooksie Martin and Noelle “LE” Martin of Rabun Gap, Georgia, and Sierra Stiles of Tiger, Georgia along with many loving nieces and nephews of the Lee family.

A memorial service was held April 1, 2024, at Hunter Funeral Home in Clayton, followed by a family graveside service at Head of Tennessee Cemetery in Dillard, Georgia.