Elizabeth R. Williams

Elizabeth Robertson Williams died December 18, 2017 at the age of 90 at Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community. She was born September 20, 1927 in Charleston, the daughter of Porter Williams and Sarah Parker Williams, and received her education there, graduating from Ashley Hall in 1945.

Miss Williams spent many years as a docent at the Heyward Washington House, where she enjoyed meeting visitors from all over the world and explaining to them the history and special features of this important Charleston landmark. She was also a life-long student of art, and was herself a devoted and accomplished artist, having begun drawing and painting at an early age and continuing to the very end of her life. In addition to producing many watercolors, she exhibited a particular talent for sketching individuals in characteristic poses. During her latter years as a resident of Bishop Gadsden, her subjects included many of the other residents and employees there.

Although a life-long resident of Charleston, Miss Williams always spent part of each year at her brother's cottage at Connestee Falls near Brevard, NC, where she took artistic inspiration from the beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. She was also an avid traveler, having made a number of extended trips to the British Isles and to continental Europe. She maintained robust health throughout her life, enjoying a variety of physical activities, including horseback riding in her early years and, later, swimming and playing tennis, which she continued into advanced age.

Miss Williams was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Porter Williams, Jr.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at St Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston. Memorials may be made to St Michael's Church, 71 Broad Street, Charleston SC 29401.