Suzanne “Suzy” Harvey Williams, 83, Johnson City, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at her home.
She was a native of Erwin, TN, and a daughter of the late Dr. Bob and “Tommy” Ratliff Harvey. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and was one of the first women to attend the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis where she met her loving husband, Jack. She first came to Johnson City in 1970 when her physician husband joined Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates.
Mrs. Williams is a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she served as a dedicated Children’s Church, Sunday School and VBS Teacher for over 40 years. She was also instrumental in starting Westminster Kids’ Early Learning Program preschool at the church in 2004. Her love of children’s ministries began in 1970, hosting weekly children’s bible studies in her home, through Child Evangelism Fellowship. Her passion was displayed through her story telling of the Bible with her flannel board visual aids and puppets, which the children adored.
A long-time member of Mountain States Foundation, Mrs. Williams served as chair and co-chair of the Spirit Gala. Realizing the Foundation also needed a way to reach out to families, she helped initiate the Family Festival and Character Dinner. She later received the prestigious Spirit of Johnson City award at the Spirit Gala in 2005 for her numerous contributions to the community and the Foundation.
A member of Medical Alliance of Washington, Unicoi and Johnson Counties, Mrs. Williams served as the organization’s president in 1975 and in 2000. Mrs. Williams was instrumental in the founding of and was extremely active in the Children’s Advocacy Center of the 1st Judicial District (CAC) in 1999, serving as a founding board member she also served as Facility Chair and as Board Development Chair. She received the Chivalry Award for her service in 2015.
She was active in the Junior League of Johnson City and helped facilitate the former Junior Service League affiliation with the Association of Junior Leagues. She also served on the Johnson City Symphony Board, including holding the position of Planning and Research Chair.
Other community involvements include serving as member of the Johnson City Board of Education and as a member of the Ashley Academy Board. She has been a chapter advisor to Alpha Delta Pi at ETSU, and an executive board member of the Christian Women’s Club. She and Jack helped bring Young Life to Johnson City, and she served as chair of the Young Life Committee, as well as opening her home to host the weekly high school gatherings.
Suzy was a member of the Washington County Republican Women’s Club and was a founding member and the first President of the East Tennessee Republican Club, the largest Republican Club in the State of Tennessee.
Bringing her efforts back home to Unicoi County, Mrs. Williams was instrumental in bringing the Foundation’s program, Growing Healthy, to the Unicoi Co. School System. She was a strong advocate for the new hospital in Erwin, following in the footsteps of her physician father who helped found the original Unicoi County Hospital.
Since being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Washington County Commission in 2017, Mrs. Williams represented the 9th District, which included the historic Gump Addition neighborhood in Johnson City. She was last re-elected to the seat in 2022.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Bob and “Tommy” Harvey.
Survivors include: her husband of 62 years, Dr. Jack Williams, four children, Rebecca (Tim) Lawson, Mary Lou Williams, Jay Williams, and Robert (Erin) Williams; three granddaughters, Ryann Williams, Jacquelynn Boswell, and Millie Williams; three grandsons, Christopher Boswell, Stephen Lawson, and Cooper Williams; sister, Rebecca Love; and nephews, Rob Love and Anthony Love.
The family of Suzy Williams will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Monday, June 24, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Johnson City. The funeral service will follow at 4:00 pm Monday in the church sanctuary with Dr. Andy Wyatt officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Boswell, Stephen Lawson, Cooper Williams, Rob Love, Anthony Love, Dick Beaver, Rod Biosca, Nile Bowman, Larry Crigger, Joe Bill Hodges, Craig Matherne, Tom McKee, Joe Reid, Jim Rule, Jim Shupe, Tom Torbett, Carl Young, and Richard McGowan.
Graveside services will be conducted at 12:00 pm Tuesday at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery by 11:50 am Tuesday for those services.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Suzy’s caregivers over the years, including but not limited to Dr. Chip Massey, Dr. Mike Hodge, Dr. Craig Matherne, Dr. Fawwaz Hamati and Joe Reid PA-C. The family would also like to acknowledge her special group of friends who have been so dedicated to her over the years including Betsy Beaver, Liz Biosca, Ann Crutcher, Rita Fleenor, Laura Graham, Sue Hay, Janice Reid, Susan Rule, Betty Skaggs, Sandy Smith, Polly Torbett and Kathy Young. Jack would especially like to acknowledge the love of care given to Suzy from her sister Becky Love, and her loving son and daughter-in-law Robert and Erin Williams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children’s Advocacy Center, 201 E Myrtle Ave, Johnson City, TN 37601 (www.cac1st.org), or to the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Northeast TN, 101 Frank Humphrey Rd, Johnson City TN 37601.
