Mary Helen Deaton Williams

Mary Helen Deaton Williams, age 85, passed away at home in Suwanee on Saturday, August 22, 2015.

She was born on February 9, 1930 to Nathan B. Deaton and Grace Jones Deaton of Ridge Road in Buford.  In addition to helping with all the farm chores, Helen also developed a love of books and loved to learn.  By applying herself well throughout school, she graduated as the Salutatorian of the Buford High School Class of 1948.

While a senior in high school, she began working as a teller at the Buford Commercial Bank which led to a banking career that spanned 25 years. She retired as a bank officer with the Exchange Bank in Milledgeville and began a successful second career as a real estate agent.  Helen knew the value of investing in others and found time to be an active member of not only her church but held leadership roles in the Quota Club too.  She enjoyed ministering to the elderly in her community as well.

Helen married Edgar Frank Williams, Jr. of Buford on December 23, 1950.  They were blessed with 2 children, Mary Joan, and David Edgar.  She served alongside her husband in the many churches in Georgia and Kentucky where he was pastor for 50 years.

Mrs. Williams was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and a tremendous role model to her children and grandchildren.  She exemplified Christ-like love in all that she did and was always so encouraging to everyone she met. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Grace Deaton, sister- Lillian Deaton and brother Hugh Deaton.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Edgar F. Williams, Jr., Suwanee; Joan Williams of Buford, David(Brenda) Williams of Sugar Hill; grandchildren: Christy(Kevin) Ferguson of Duluth, Jesse Burson of Jacksonville, FL; Nathan Williams and Tatum Williams of Sugar Hill; great-granddaugher, Maddox Claire Ferguson; sisters: Bernice Weaver of Buford, Edith(Dan) Morton of Stone Mountain; Hazel Williams of Buford; brother and sisters-in law: Jim(Barbara) Williams of Lawrenceville, and Lurene Williams of Kathleen, GA.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held at Flanagan’s’ Funeral Home, Buford, on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church in the old sanctuary where Helen attended as a child.  Interment will be the Zion Hill cemetery beside her other family members.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan, Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.