Jeanne Williams Mitchell

Iva Jeanne Williams Mitchell, 82, of Columbia, SC passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 23, 2024. Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 2nd at 11:00 in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, SC. Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street is assisting the family.

Jeanne was born on January 1, 1942 in Columbia, SC to George Thomas Williams and Lillian Frances Johnson Williams. She was the youngest of their six children. News Years Day always included a call to Jeanne to wish her Happy Birthday. In return the caller was reminded to eat collards and black-eyed peas for good luck in the New Year. Jeanne was a proud member of the 1960 graduating class of Columbia High School. After graduation she attended Columbia Commercial College. Upon receiving her certificate, Jeanne began work as a telephone operator for Southern Bell. In 1969 she moved to Atlanta where she worked for Wachovia. Though she made many friends in Atlanta, in 1987 she returned to her hometown where she continued in the financial field at Wells Fargo. Jeanne’s favorite aspect of her position at the Assembly Street branch was getting to know and develop relationships with many of the USC students while helping them with their accounts. She retired from work after a long career with Wells Fargo.

Jeanne had many enjoyments in life. With a bright smile and hearty laugh she was fun to be around and always ready for a long chat. Jeanne loved helping family members and friends with their children. Her nieces and nephews brought her much joy and they loved being around her. She was always happy to visit with them and join in their fun. She also claimed many children of friends as extended family with whom she would babysit and enjoy quality time.

Jeanne was also an excellent cook whose delicious homemade biscuits and fabulous red velvet cake were family favorites. She enjoyed old movies, particularly those starring Doris Day and Gordan MacRae. She collected ceramic birds and every December displayed her beautiful Christmas village. Through her life Jeanne was blessed to have Betty Sottilie of Las Vegas, NV; Carolyn Brigman of Newberry, SC; and Sammi Wright of Columbia, SC as close friends with whom she traveled and visited often. The family would especially like to express their gratitude to Sammi who many, many times happily took Jeanne places she needed to go as her health declined.

In addition to her parents, Jeanne was predeceased by her sister Dorothy Louise Williams, brother Thomas Vance Williams and sister-in-law Betty Hensley Williams, brother George Thaddeus Williams, brothers-in-law Henry K. Bishop and A. Frank Harrison III, nephews Brian Williams Harrison and Thaddeus Russell Williams, and nephew-in-law Alvin Maxcy Carter. We want to also remember Theo who Jeanne rescued as an abandoned puppy, loved for many years, and who loved her in return.

Those cherishing fond memories of Jeanne are sisters Mary Ellen Bishop of Raleigh, NC and Joanne Harrison of Columbia, SC; Nieces Dottie Covington (Mike) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Patti McKown (Bob) of Chapin, SC; Terri Conner (Don) of Conway, SC; Jeanne Shekmer (David) of Raleigh, NC; Laura Quattlebaum (David) of Little River, SC; Virginia Williams of Spartanburg, SC; and Cecilia Powell (Todd) of Columbia, SC; Nephew Michael Harrison of Columbia, SC, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Children’s Home or Epworth Children’s Home.