Katherine Valentine Rogers Williams

Katherine Valentine Rogers Williams, age 100, of Gainesville, Georgia, died Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

Born June 20, 1912, Demorest, Georgia, resident of Gainesville since 1945, daughter of Dr. Jonathan Clark Rogers and Mary Floyd Hamilton Blackshear Rogers, Katherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, professional social worker, gifted teacher and professor, and outstanding community leader.
She graduated from the University of Georgia, majoring in English and history, and was a music student of Hugh Hodgson. She attended graduate school at Tulane University and earned a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University, New York. She taught returning GIs after World War II through the University of Georgia extension program, taught history at Brenau University, and was assistant professor of social work at the University of Georgia, supervising graduate student placements in Gainesville. She pioneered the concept of a learning service center. As a social worker she developed patient care programs for hospitals and nursing homes in the Northeast Georgia region.
Katherine taught Sunday school and Disciple classes at First Methodist Church, served as president of the United Methodist Women, was a kindergarten teacher, a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Junior League, Gainesville Garden Club, and Progressive Arts Club. She served on the board of the Quinlan Arts Center, writing the grant for the first paid director. She was actively involved with the Georgia Mountain Museum and supported the Northeast Georgia History Center and Elachee Nature center. She worked with the mental health association, the juvenile court and child guidance clinic. In 1967 she was the recognized by the Gainesville Rotary Club as Woman of the Year and in 2004 she was recognized by the Girl Scouts as the Woman of Distinction.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 51 years, Robert Emil "Ike" Williams, and her brother Jonathan Clark Rogers, III. Katherine is survived by three children: Robert Emil Williams, Jr (Melly) of Gainesville, Anne Williams Chenault of Gainesville, and Sarah Williams Selby (David) of Silver Spring, Maryland; seven grandchildren: Sarah Koskovich, Robert Emil Williams, III, Katherine O'Connell, William Chenault, IV, Robert Rogers Chenault, Jonathan Selby and Katherine Selby; two step-grandchildren Melanie Mette and Katherine Macias; nine great-grandchildren; a sister Laura Rogers Fortson of Athens, and nieces and nephews.

Katherine and Ike met in Gainesville in the aftermath of the 1936 tornado when he was an engineer and she a Red Cross relief worker. They married in Dahlonega in April 1939 and became known for their wildflower and vegetable gardens and fresh produce freely given to friends. They enjoyed the north Georgia mountains, travel, and happy gatherings with friends and family.

Memorials may be made to Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Northeast Georgia History Center, or Elachee Nature Science Center.

Family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, September 9, 2012 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home North Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, with private graveside services in Demorest, Georgia.
　
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. Online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.