Frances Williams

Frances Quarles Williams, 84, surrounded by her family, went to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Hilltop Memory Care. Born September 21, 1938 in Walhalla, SC, she was the daughter of the late Julia Nicholson Quarles and Joe Wesley Quarles of Seneca, SC.

Mrs. Williams was a charter member of Redeemer Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. She was a graduate of Seneca High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) in Central, SC. Frances earned her Master of Arts in Special Education from Converse College (now Converse University). Frances was only 30 hours shy of earning her PhD in Special Education. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Kate Berry Chapter, and joined as a Junior member in 1971. She recently received her 50-year pin for her faithful membership. Frances was a supporter of the DAR Tamassee school that served children from broken homes. She also served as a Board member of New Day Clubhouse in Spartanburg.

After teaching primary education for a few years, she focused her passions by teaching United States History and Economics and Government for the hearing impaired for 23 years with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. Frances was fluent in American Sign language and continued to sign until a few months before her passing. Her students, along with her family, made her most proud as did her colleagues who were her close friends. Her fondest memories were taking her students on yearly trips touring the United States Capitol, visiting our SC Senators, and touring her students around Gallaudet University.

After her retirement from teaching, she obtained her South Carolina Real Estate license and was co-owner of ERA Home Realty, later to become Home Realty, with her husband, Broker-In-Charge, Harold Williams. Frances found another life calling ministry outside of the classroom by helping many people find their dream home and worked alongside many Spartanburg realtors who also became her close friends. Frances served on the Education Committee of the Spartanburg Board of Realtors.

Survivors are daughters Kimberly Williams Shell (Shawne) and Cheryl Williams Abele (Jeremy); Granddaughters, Haleigh Frances Shell, Sierra Frances Shell-Freedman (Jonah), and Julia Marlies Abele; Grandson, Connor Harold Abele; Nephew, Ethan Nyberg. Mrs. Williams was predeceased by her husband, Harold L. Williams, brothers, Bobby Quarles and James Marvin Quarles and sister, Bernice Quarles Nyberg.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00PM, Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Celebration of Life Services will be 12:00 Noon, Friday, March 31, 2023, at Greenlawn Chapel conducted by The Rev. Bill Slattery and Dr. Jim Halla, Elder. Burial will follow at Heritage Memorial Gardens, Roebuck, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to World Witness Mission Fund, 918 South Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 218, Greenville, SC 29607 or online at www.worldwitness.org/give-landing-page or to the Alzheimer’s Association-Spartanburg, 901 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC, 29302 or online at  www.alz.org.