Barbara Jean Williams, 80, of Swannanoa went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at CarePartners John F. Keever Solace Center. She was born August 20, 1934 to the late John and Jennie Gambrell. She grew up in Conestee, South Carolina. Barbara was also preceded in death by her husband, Ben L. Williams.
After graduating from Mauldin High School she entered nursing school where she worked in the field of nursing for over fifty years. Barbara worked as a surgical nurse for eighteen years prior to becoming a nurse anesthetist. She retired from the Charles George Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Oteen in December 1987 after thirty-three years of employment. Her talents of being a nurse anesthetist furthered her employment up and down the east coast of the US until 2007.
Barbara loved working and caring for all of the military veterans that she came in contact with as well as reading her Bible. She was a role model to many including her family and especially her grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by her children, Robert Jeffery Williams (Marilyn), Tanya Sue Mantooth (David), John David Williams, and Gambrell Anne Williams; grandchildren, Ben Williams (Tanya), Dr. Valerie Williams, Zachary Mantooth nurse practitioner (Megan), and Dr. Jonathan Mantooth; great grandchildren, Parker and Annabelle Mantooth; sister, Ruth Tucker; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Barbara may be made to First Baptist Church, Swannanoa, 503 Park Street, Swannanoa, NC 28778.