Kaye Heddon Williams

Kaye Heddon Williams, age 73, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2020. Kaye was born on August 30, 1946 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to Howard Roland Heddon and Ruth Evelyn Lattimore Heddon. She was raised in Columbia, South Carolina. Kaye studied ballet, and it was the dancer discipline ingrained into her at a young age that saw her through a major health crisis later in life. Kaye graduated from the University of South Carolina and began working in the hospitality industry, ultimately as a manager for Sheraton Hotels at properties in Hilton Head, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Charleston. In 1969 she married Horace Vann Williams, a native of Monroe, and they both lived in Atlanta before moving back to Monroe permanently. Kaye and Horace bought and renovated a historic home on West Franklin Street in downtown Monroe in 1975, and Kaye lived there for over forty years. Kaye worked for twenty years as the office manager for Brewer-Hendley Oil Company but was known mainly as the pre-eminent party and wedding planner in Monroe. She, a lover of details, was best known for her extensive handwritten lists on yellow legal pads, detailing every aspect of an event, and she never settled for less than perfection when it came to a bride’s elaborate wedding or a simple dinner party at her home. Kaye was known for her immaculate taste and for her exceptional cooking. A dinner invitation from her guaranteed perfectly prepared food, excellent wine, and entertaining guests; invitations were not to be declined. Kaye loved classical music, art, current events, cooking and eating well, Wine Women Wednesdays (except during Lent!) with her closest friends, and her beloved cat, Maggie. A survivor of a major stroke about fifteen years ago, Kaye most recently has been known for her resilience and tenacity in the face of tremendous physical struggle. Her fierce determination and willingness to push herself beyond what her body wanted to do was awe-inspiring to many. Kaye was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and was beloved by a congregation of people who cared deeply for her. Kaye was preceded in death by her husband, Horace, and several black standard poodles over the years. She is survived by four nieces and nephews: Claudia, Elizabeth, William, and Steven Dickerson. She will be sorely missed by the people who had the honor and privilege to know her, learn from her, teach her new things, spend time with her, and lovingly care for her over these last years. A special thank you goes out to all the people who provided care to Kaye so that she could maintain the independence that mattered so much to her. A service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 293, Monroe, NC 28111. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory is caring for the Williams Family.