A memorial service for Rita Smith Williams will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Hopewell Cemetery.
Mrs. Rita S. Williams, 78, of Wrightsville, passed away Monday, Jan 29, 2024, at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin.
Ms. Williams was born February 10, 1945, in Corydon, IN to the late Claude E. Smith and Marguerite Freeman Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elon Williams; brothers, Steven Smith and Billy Smith.
Ms. Williams graduated from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, FL in 1963. She went on to attend the Gulfport Academy of Beauty Culture in Gulfport, FL. In 1964 to become a hairdresser. After moving to Georgia many years later, she attended Swainsboro Technical College of Georgia to seek her nursing degree. She graduated from Swainsboro Tech in 1990 and passed her state exam in 1991 as an LPN.
In 2009, Ms. Williams retired from nursing after working many years at the Swainsboro Nursing Home in Swainsboro. Her hobbies as a young child growing up were showing her horses and competing in many 4-H events. She also assisted her parents in raising, training and racing greyhounds. She loved her family, friends and church family and strongly believed in God.
Ms. Williams always stated that her son and nursing career were her most significant accomplishments. She had many great friends throughout her lifetime and left behind her best friend, buddy, card player, cohort and sidekick, Thelma Anderson of Wrightsville.
She is survived by her son, Lee Rich, Sr. (Patricia) of Millen; brother, Wade Smith (Phyllis) of Hanceville, AL; grandchildren, Lee Rich, Jr., Preston Chase Rich, Kacie Lynn Rich, all of Pensacola, FL, Johnathan Lee Rich of Millen; great-grandchildren, Elliana Rose Rich, Zayden Savage; and many friends.
