Jean Tanner Williams

WILLIAMS, Jean Tanner, of Lakewood Manor in Henrico County, died on Monday, October 13, 2008. She was the wife of Donald E. Williams, retired Commis-sioner, Department of Motor Vehicles. On August 7, they were married 54 years. Born September 19, 1932 in Edenton, N.C., and named Jean Calmes Tanner, she was the daughter of Fielding Felix Tanner and Lillian Layton Tanner, both deceased. At the age of six, she and her brother, Fielding Felix Tanner Jr., now deceased, moved with their family to Cohutta, Ga. She graduated from Berry College, Mount Berry, Ga., with a B.A. degree in Science and Secondary Education. Before retiring in 1990, she was a science teacher for 27 years with 19 years at Tuckahoe Middle School in Henrico County. She taught in Acworth, Ga., Roanoke and Richmond, Va. She is survived by her husband, Donald Eugene Williams. She had two sons, David Emory Williams, deceased in 1992, and is survived by her son, Dr. Robert Layton Williams and his wife, Ingrid, of Aiken, S.C. She had three grandsons, Ryan Tanner Williams, Derek Matthew Williams and Andrew David Williams. She leaves behind a nephew, Huntley Tanner and his wife, Elaine; and their two sons, Brandon and Hunter. Other family members include an uncle, Aubrey Guy Tanner and his wife, Martha, of Tupelo Miss.; an aunt, Etsu Tanner of Niceville, Fla.; and many cousins. Jean was an active member of Derbyshire Baptist Church, the Koinonia Bible class, Hermitage Country Club, Investment Club, Henrico County Retired Teachers Association, Goochland Snooty Fox Society, Society of Versailles-the Calmes Family and past member of the Goochland Woman's Club. Jean enjoyed traveling with her husband, playing Bridge, playing golf, taking museum tours, antiques and collectibles, reading, bird watching and nature. She had a love for flowers and gardening, and especially enjoyed her many relatives and friends. The family of Jean Williams would like to extend their deepest gratitude and love to all of the friends and family who send cards and emails, and spent time in visits and phone calls. They would like to express gratitude to the Bon Secours Hospice staff, the members and ministerial staff of Derbyshire Baptist Church, the Lakewood Manor residents and staff, and her physician, Dr. Randall J. West and his staff. After a five-year battle with cancer, when illness made it too difficult for her to compete, she could say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7). The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008, at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond. Her funeral service will be held at Derbyshire Baptist Church on Friday, October 17, 2008, at 1 p.m. Interment will follow on the next day, Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 12 noon, in Edenton, N.C., at Beaver Hill Cemetery, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Derbyshire Baptist Church, 8800 Derbyshire Road, Richmond, Va. 23229. Condolences may be registered at www.mem.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.