Helen Barbara Williams

Helen Cooper Williams, 92, of Atlanta passed away Saturday, September 2, 2023.

She was born March 16, 1931 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Christian Edwin and Lettie Gunter Cooper and was educated in the Columbus School System and Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. Helen married Raymond S. Williams, Jr. on September 2, 1951. After Raymond returned from the Korean Conflict, they moved to Atlanta. She was active in the DeKalb County Jaycettes serving as president in 1959-60 and volunteered for numerous charities. She stayed home to raise her children until 1970 when she began working in the insurance agency founded by her husband, the Raymond S. Williams Agency, Inc. in Tucker, GA. In 1985, she turned the business over to her son and eldest daughter.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband before his death in 1977 after 26 years of marriage, and continued traveling over much of the world with friends and family. She loved Atlanta and enjoyed touring visiting guests around the old established areas of the city treating them with her genteel Southern accent. She chaperoned numerous trips with international students across the western United States. She was active at Shallowford Presbyterian Church where she chaperoned choir tours, attended the Tuesday Circle, and Sunday school. She was also in the Randolph Estates Garden Club.

Known affectionately as either Grandma, Mama Williams or Aunt Helen, she loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren, extended family, and friends. She had a love for science and never missed an opportunity to share an interesting show or night sky phenomenon with her kids and grandkids. She never met a stranger and had the gift of gab which frequently included some friendly advice. Helen's kind and generous spirit made a positive impact on everyone she met.

She is survived by her four children Raymond S. (Sue Ellen) Williams, III, Lynn (Russ) Mathis, Susan (Lewis) Tumlin, and Nancy (John) Phillips, her ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her spouse Raymond S. Williams, Jr. and four siblings.

A private family graveside service will be held at Arlington Memorial Cemetery Sunday, September 10. Family and friends are invited to the celebration of life service Monday, September 11 at 10 am at Shallowford Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta, GA 30345.