Rebecca H. Williams

Rebecca “Becky” Howard Williams of Marietta, Georgia died in Tallahassee, Florida on August 6, 2016 at the age of 87. Becky grew up in Putnam County, Georgia, attended schools there and graduated from Eatonton High School in 1945. She attended Auburn University where she graduated in 1948 after earning a degree in business administration. After graduation she moved to Cobb County, Georgia where she worked and lived for over 65 years. Becky began her career in the Cobb County Court system working for then Justice of the Peace Henry Williams Sr. In 1965 that office merged into the state court system. Becky was instrumental in the establishment of the State Clerk’s Office. She was elected Clerk of State Court in 1976 and re-elected to that office for five terms serving until her retirement in 1993. During her career she saw tremendous growth in both the county and the Clerk's office. Her professional goal was to assist the citizens who came through her office and to abide by the law. She stated, "The law is the important thing because it was made to protect all of us." She was known around Cobb County for “her ability to get the job done.” Becky was active in many professional organizations including the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Executive Women, League of Women Voters, County Officers Association of Georgia, Cobb County Legal Secretaries Association, and Cobb Women's Exchange. Becky was chosen as the first “Mrs. Cobb County” by the Smyrna-Oakdale Moose Lodge for service to her job and community. She was elected as the Woman of the Year, Cherokee Rose American Business Women's Association, in 1980 and the Boss of the Year in 1983. At that time she was only one of two elected female State Court Clerks in Georgia. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners proclaimed September 12, 1990 as “Becky Williams Day" in recognition of her "long-standing service to the county, cooperative attitude and commitment to her work and fellow employees." Her service to her community did not end with retirement. She remained active in the Cobb County Retirees Association and continued to help others often by providing transportation for appointments and meals. Becky was known by all for her love of cooking and one of her greatest pleasures was sharing food with others. She twice published a cookbook of favorite recipes which family and friends enjoyed receiving not only for the recipes but also for the personal messages and tips on cooking she included. Even as illness sapped her energy, she remained focused on living, enjoying visitors and her passion for reading. Becky was preceded in death by her mother Amelia Marshall Howard, her father John Poole Howard, and her brother J.P. (Sonny) Howard. She is survived by first cousins Patricia “Cissie” Brown of Tallahassee, Florida, Jim Marshall and his wife Nancy of Eatonton, Georgia, Richard Marshall and his wife Marlene of Madison, Georgia, Jana Thompson and her husband Tony of Buckhead, Georgia, an aunt Hilda Marshall wife of the late Thomas J. Marshall, and sister-in-law Carolynn Whiting; as well as many other family and friends. A memorial service will be held September 10th at 11:00 at Harmony Baptist Church, 120 Harmony Church Road, Eatonton Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a church or charity of your choice.

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Rebecca H. Williams

September 12, 1928 - August 6, 2016