Elfriede "Frieda" Williams

Elfriede “Frieda” Williams, 80 of Ringgold, passed away Wednesday June 12th in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Frieda was born in Hof, Germany on October 31, 1938. As a young child she grew up during WWII witnessing destruction and the rebuilding of Germany. She met her husband of 53 years in 1961, Michael R. Williams during his time in the U.S. Air Force. They spent the next 20 years moving every couple of years around the United States and parts of Germany. She was most proud of earning her American citizenship in 1972 in Columbia, SC.

Frieda loved cooking, and baking for her family, especially German dishes. She loved to shop, travel, garden, and most of all, spend time with her family including her beloved dog, Poochie.  Frieda attended any and all activities that her family held and was affectionately known as Oma (German word for grandmother) to her grandchildren. She was raised in the Catholic Church, but later attended Brainerd Presbyterian Church. Frieda was also an active member of the Gold Star Wives group.   

Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Michael R. Williams; son, Michael C. Williams; and parents, August Kaiser and Margarete Geiger.

Survivors include, her daughter, Tina L. (Steve C.) Thompson; cousin, Sieglinde Becker; and grandchildren: Steven, Katie, Jacob, Bucky, Reid, Lexi, and Gracie.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 18th at 1pm in the South Crest Chapel with Pastor Ronald Ragon officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to lane-southcrestchapel.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org, Humane Society at his.org, or the Chattanooga Community Kitchen at homelesschattanooga.org

The family will receive friends, Tuesday from 11am until the funeral hour in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home, Rossville.