Kathryn Brown Williams

Raleigh - Kathryn Brown Williams passed away peacefully from complications of PAN Disease in the presence of her family on June 3, 2014 at Duke University Medical Center. She was born in Ainsworth, NB on September 20, 1950 to the late Jay Robert and Virginia Shank Brown. She is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, Stan Williams; daughter, Jackie Williams; son, Brian Williams and wife, Kelly, and their two children, Parker and Hayes, all of Raleigh. She is also survived by her sister, Laurel Montgomery; nephew, Steve Montgomery; and niece, Alison Mooney. Kathryn spent her childhood in various places including Okinawa, Newfoundland, and Warner Robbins, GA before the family settled permanently in Falls Church, VA. A dedicated educator and teacher, Kathryn received her BA in Elementary Education from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY, and her Masters in Education from the University of Evansville, Evansville, IN. She began her teaching career in the rural coal mining region of Kentucky and later in Rockport, IN. After several years she returned to her favorite area, metropolitan Washington D.C., where she began working for US Senator George McGoverns Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. Later she worked for US Senator Birch Bayh on his Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. Stan and Kathryn were married on October 11, 1975 in Falls Church, VA and moved to Raleigh in 1977. Shortly thereafter, she became Director of Statewide Education for the N.C. Department of Corrections. Later she returned to the classroom and taught for ten years at Daniels Middle School, retiring in 2009. Compassionate by nature, she cared deeply for her students, often discretely buying supplies for needy children. Kathryn was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was unassuming and reserved, but possessed the elegance, grace and kindness of a true lady. Always an avid traveler, she was also a devotee of music and art, and a passionate supporter of the USO and the SPCA. She will be profoundly missed by her family and all who knew her. Stan and the family wish to thank all their devoted friends who have steadfastly supported them through the difficult times of the past few months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the USO NC, PO Box 91536 Raleigh, NC 27675 or the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh 27603. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2014 at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh. Following the service, Kathryn will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery.