Lena A. Williams

Lena Antley Williams, 92, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of the late Clayton M. Williams, Sr. passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The relatives and friends of Lena A. Williams are invited to attend her Funeral Service 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 11, 2016, from the Graveside at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Road, Charleston. The family will receive friends between 4:30 and 7:00 PM Tuesday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Lena was born March 1, 1924, in Charleston, SC, daughter of the late Harry and Georgianna Antley. She was a graduate of Murray Vocational High School and Palmer Business School. Lena worked for many years as secretary to the owner of Edward's Department Store in downtown Charleston. She and Clayton ran a small diner in Mt. Pleasant in the 1960's. In 1970, they bought the Goodie House Restaurant on Calhoun Street in Charleston. Their restaurant soon became a popular site for both College of Charleston students and many downtown business people. The Williams family operated the restaurant with their two sons, CM and Cliff, until 1998, when Starbucks leased the property. With her quiet manner and beautiful smile, Lena greeted customers, baked pies, and prepared other homemade items for the restaurant. She had a tremendous love for her church, Ashley River Baptist, where she was a lifelong, active member until she was no longer able to drive. A year and a half ago, she moved into Ashley Park Retirement Center, and from there, moved to Heartland of West Ashley Rehabilitation and Nursing Home Center. Lena had many interests and loves: cooking, baking, gardening, fishing, participating in activities at the local senior centers, traveling with her family and friends, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lena was lovingly known by many friends and family members as "Ernie". She had been named by her first grandchild, Clay; instead of calling her Granny, he confused it with Ernie on Sesame Street. Lena is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, CM and Marilyn Williams, her four grandchildren: Clay Williams and his wife Merin, Cameron Williams and his wife Karen, Harry Williams and his wife Avery, and Danielle Williams. In addition to her grandchildren, she loved and doted on her five great-grandchildren: Ella, Clarke, Mayes and Carson Williams and River Jones. She is predeceased by her son, Clifton Williams. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Heartland of West Ashley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 1137 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston 29407, or Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Highway, Charleston 29407. The family would like to thank all the caring nurses and staff at Heartland who so lovingly cared for Lena.