Reba Williams
(January 14, 1911 - December 11, 2012)

Reba Davis Williams

At the time of year as the Winter Solstice, when the harvest is over and Christmas celebrations begin, Reba Davis Williams died in her home in Newport, Tennessee at the age of 101. She had made plans to celebrate her 102nd birthday, January 14, 2013. Ms. Williams was born on the family farm off Goodwater Road which is now part of the Parrottsville Community. She moved to the village of Parrottsville in 1919 with her family. Her parents were William Lee David (1897-1922) and Lelia Easterly Davis 1877-1967). She received her degree in the spring of 1932 at Asheville Normal Teachers College and began teaching the first grade in the fall of that year at the old Parrottsville School. She taught the fifth and sixth grade at Parrottsville before teaching career in Tuxedo, MC, for one year. She then moved back home to Newport and continued her teaching career at Newport Grammar School, where she taught for 36 years. "I expected an honest effort from my students and generally got it, "said Williams," when you stimulate that ‘something special' in a good student, you switch on a twinkle in the eye that will last a lifetime." Williams' grandfather, Frances Marion Easterly (1820-1903), was co-founder of Parrottsville Academy in 1875, and her great-uncle taught in that school which years later became a public school in Parrottsville. In 2009, this award winning educator help delicate the Tennessee Division of Forestry Natural Resource Center located in Cocke County. To organize her financial contribution to the Center, the Reba D. Williams Classroom now exists. Williams credited a life-long study of trees, wild flowers and birds that lived in our forest, to adding a richness to life. She believed that teaching is a calling, a bit similar in nature to a religious experience. "Earth's natural resource bases set us apart from the sun, moon, stars and other planets in our solar system. Nature possesses degree of orderliness that serves as a model for living, and educators must deliver this lesson, "commented Mrs. Williams. She considered all her students as ‘family' and attempted to keep up with their children and grandchildren. In 1937, she married Floyd W. Williams and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 27, 1987. Floyd's death was December 31, 1987. They were both avid University of Tennessee fans. Reba D. Williams was a Charter Member of the First United Methodist Church, sang in the Church Choir and taught in the Junior Department of Sunday School for many years. Mrs. Williams was a Charter Member of the Newport Music Club for 65 years and enjoyed her piano at home and preformed in the nursing home regularly. She is survived by her niece, Mary Anna Pirozzoli (Charlie) and a host of students. Services will be Friday, December 14, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Oven Creek Methodist Church Cemetery. Friends will gather at the First United Methodist Church, Friday, one hour before the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church 212 Washington Ave., Newport, TN 37821.


Manes Funeral Home in charge.