Althea Corrine Hoag Williams went to be with the Lord peacefully, with family by her side, in the early morning hours of December 14, 2020, at the age of 95, in Columbus, Georgia. She was born to the late Charles and Lillian Hoag, September 26, 1925 in Allentown, Pennsylvania as the second among ten children including her six sisters and three brothers and was affectionately referred to as “Aunt T” by countless nieces and nephews. Althea met her future husband, Thomas “Tom” Roswell Williams at Whitney Point High School in their homeroom class where she graduated from in 1943. She was voted “most modest” by her classmates. They married on November 30, 1946 at Glen Aubrey Baptist Church.
They lived in the Binghamton, NY area where she raised their three children, Linda, Tom and Sue. Althea was heavily involved in the First Assembly of God church and began the Cradle Roll Department for the babies in the nursery. Althea was always ready to help someone from the church who may have needed a ride, would pack them in the car along with her own kids and get them to where they needed to go, no matter how far out of the way it was. There were weekly trips to Grandma Hoag’s house and Grandma Williams’ farm in Nanticoke. With life firmly centered around family and church, birthdays, holiday get togethers, family reunions and church events were constantly occurring and being hosted by her. Althea who ultimately became simply “Grandma” was the “card shark” who taught the grandkids how to beat anybody at Uno and Phase Ten.
In 1972, as willing adventurers and participants in the great migration of New Yorkers moving to sunny Florida they settled in Clearwater, where her daughter Linda and family joined them. There, Althea and Tom remained active in the local First Assembly of God church and became close with a group of loyal friends in whose company they could relax, laugh and enjoy good times together. When more limited physical mobility set in, Althea and Tom moved from Clearwater to Columbus, Georgia in 2017, allowing them to be cared for by their daughter Susan. Althea and Tom enjoyed a full life together of 74 years, inseparable to the end.
Althea is survived by her husband Tom who at the age of 95 resides in Columbus, Georgia, and two children and their spouses: Thomas Robert Williams and his wife Mary of Houston, TX and Susan Jean Lacy and her husband Dennis of Columbus, GA and her son in law Roger Grycrek of Largo, FL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Lori Kelley, Kara Myers, Brad Lacy, Susanna James, Ryan Williams, Dustin Williams and Britney Russell. She is also survived by nine greatgrandchildren: Luke Kelley, Emily Kelley, Gavin Myers, Micaiah Lacy, Caleb Lacy, Abby James, Hannah James, Kenzie Russell and Beckett Russell. Althea’s two remaining siblings, Marilyn DeVita and Carol Lyons live in Endicott, NY. Sadly, Althea was preceded in death by eight days, by her daughter Linda Grycrek, at the age of 72, on Dec 6, 2020.
Due to covid concerns there will be a private family burial at Largo Cemetery on Monday, December 21, 2020.
So many wonderful memories surrounding the Williams family! It was at a pool party in Binghamton NY hosted by Tom and Althea for the young people that I first got up the courage to hold Carol Costanzo’s hand! I’m still holding it 59 years later! Tom and Althea were such close friends to the Stair and Costanzo families. Hopefully we’ll all be able to get back together in heaven for a Binghamton reunion! Much love and prayers!
Tom and Althea were wonderful friends, faithful, helpful, loving and always ready to be involved in the work of the church. It was a privilege to have been their pastor.
My prayers and condolence to the family.
Tom and Sue and all the Williams family. JT and I are so sorry to first hear of Linda and now Althea. we pray for God’s peace and comfort for you guys as you walk through this time. we certainly wish we could have been there but we have a previous commitment for Monday. Blessings to all of you God bless.
Tom I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Linda’s and Althea
I pray for the Lords peace and comfort for you and your family.I remember meeting you and Althea along with Bucky and Shirley Lane at Denny on sunay nights.
Bruce and I have wonderful memories of Althea and Tom. We had the privilege of working with Tom on staff at First Assembly. Such a great couple full of Jesus love for all.
I have wonderful memories of Tom and Althea. They are a dedicated couple who loved, and served Jesus. My prayers and condolences are with the entire Williams family.