Helen Williams Swartz

Helen was born in Wallace, N.C. on August 11, 1932, the daughter of the late Norwood Graham Williams and Kathleen Johnson Williams. She was also preceded in death by brother Norwood Elwyn(Skeeter)Williams and sister Carolyn Williams Bowden. Helen married John T. Swartz Sr., from Athens,Georgia, in 1961. They were married until his death in March 1994.

She is survived by her son, John T. Swartz, Jr. of Raleigh, N.C. and daughter in-law Dawn Swartz and 3 granddaughters, Lexi,Avery and Allie Swartz. She is also survived by sisters, Margaret Williams Cassara, and Marilyn Williams of Wilmington, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Helen was a graduate of Rex Hospital Nursing School and worked as a registered nurse, devoting her life to the care of others for almost 40 years.She also worked as a substance abuse counselor and was the founder of the of the substance abuse counseling program at Athens General Hospital.

Helen had a love of sports and was a cheerleader and basketball player at Wallace Rose Hill High School. Helen and John were avid University of Georgia Bulldog fans and attended every football game as long as they lived in Athens. Tailgating was a serious business and a way of life living in Athens.Go Dawgs!

She was a member of Little Chapel on The Boardwalk and was very active in the women’s programs, leading Bible studies, singing in the adult choir and many other outreach programs. She loved her church community and giving her time in service to others. Helen was a member of the David Williams DAR chapter in Goldsboro N.C.,then transferred her membership to the Stamp Defiance chapter in Wilmington, N. C.

A celebration of her life will be held Thursday,September 7th, at 1:00pm at Little Chapel On The Boardwalk at Wrightsville Beach, N.C. A private burial will be held in Athens, Georgia in Oconee Hill Cemetery, where her husband John is buried.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to LittleChapel On The Boardwalk, or Transitions Hospice in Raleigh, N.C.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Swartz family.