Patsy Edwards Williams

Patsy Edwards Williams of Raleigh, NC passed away on April 22, 2022. Patsy was born on July 23 in the mid twentieth century (she swore her family to secrecy to never reveal her actual age) in Rocky Mount, NC, to the late Raymond and Mary Edwards. She graduated from West Edgecombe Senior High School and then went on to earn an education degree from East Carolina University.

It was at East Carolina that she met the love of her life, Glenn Williams, by catching a ride back home for a weekend visit to Rocky Mount. Glenn and Patsy were married on June 17, 1967 and made a life together in Charlotte, Greensboro and finally in Raleigh where they raised their three children.

Patsy was involved in countless community organizations including Communities in Schools of Wake County and serving as a mentor with Step Up Ministries through White Memorial Presbyterian Church. But what Patsy truly excelled in was her involvement in all three of her children’s lives. She served in the Lacy Elementary PTA, Oberlin Middle School PTA, and Broughton High School PTA and the Broughton Vocal Music Booster Club. Patsy was frequently found watching piano recitals, on the bleachers of the Jaycee Center taking in youth basketball games, or the on the front row of countless Show Choir performances.

Patsy found joy in hosting others in her home whether it was an Arthur Andersen office party, Sunday School class fellowship, bridge club, or groups of her children’s friends for an after-school snack, Carolina Spirit meals or Queen of Hearts gathering.

Patsy was happiest at Pine Knoll Shores with her family or traveling with Glenn. Later in life, she found incredible joy in the position she was perhaps most called to - being “GiGi” to her 6 grandkids. Patsy could often be found on the floor playing with dinosaurs, taking the grandkids to ride on a train, creating “art lessons” on beach trips, strolling Tatton Drive with baby dolls or hosting “GiGi sleepovers” with early morning PopTarts and cartoons right from her bed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; brothers, Elmo Edwards, Roy Edwards, and Jimmy Edwards; and by her sisters, Mabel Zboyovski and Lucille Hathaway.

She is survived by sons, Chuck Williams (Robin) of Clayton; Mark Williams (Katrina) of Durham; and daughter, Melanie Daryani (Nevin) of Durham. She is also survived by grandsons, Noah, Wyatt and Aidan Williams of Clayton; granddaughters, Addison and Madelyn Daryani of Durham; and grandson, Søren Williams of Durham. Patsy is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Her family is so very grateful for the exceptional care Patsy received and the numerous people who supported her over the past several years, particularly Glenn’s siblings, Nancy Ellis (Bobby) of Rocky Mount and Oliver Williams (Julia) of Raleigh.

A service in celebration of Patsy’s life will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh on Tuesday April 26 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service at White Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Glenn Williams Enrichment Fund with Communities in Schools of Wake County, 971 Harp Street, Raleigh NC, 27604.

Arrangements are with Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.