Jacquelyn Gail (Sweaney) Williams

Savannah

Ms. Jacquelyn Gail Williams (b. Sweany), age 86, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Savannah Hospice. She was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on February 11, 1935, to William Frank Sweany and Freda Agnes Craig. Numerous family members lived in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where they would visit on the weekends. Jacquelyn was raised in Weirton, West Virginia, a steel mill town, where she was well known for having had an incredible singing voice. Although she was offered a career and scholarship in singing, she decided to turn it down to pursue education. Jacquelyn completed education training at West Virginia University, earning a BA in Education specializing primarily in English language and social studies. She would later get an MA in Educational Counseling.
Jacquelyn began her teaching career early on in Weirton, West Virginia. However, she later taught in Winston Salem (NC), Asheville (NC), Hendersonville (NC), Athens (GA), Toccoa (GA), and ultimately in beautiful Savannah. As a teacher, Jacquelyn commanded the classroom well. Few educators have had such stamina to teach in public schools as she had for a total of 45 years! People were amazed by her outstanding teaching skills as well as her ability to manage the classroom. Singing and telling stories were additional tools that she utilized to make learning more interesting for her students. Furthermore, Jacquelyn never wanted to retire from teaching and was ultimately forced to retire at the age of 80 years! She was simply a dedicated teacher who loved inspiring success in the lives of her students.
Most importantly, many people loved to speak with Jacquelyn because she was an excellent, extroverted communicator and narrator. Everywhere she would go, she made friends and acquaintances instantly as she told them accounts of her life. In addition, Jacquelyn was mainly devoted to her very close friends, whom she had known for decades and much longer, even as far back as when she first started teaching. She loved to travel with them, go out to dinner with them, and shower them with little gifts to show how much she cared. As a result, some people compared her to Santa Claus. Moreover, Jacquelyn was most faithful to those very close friends whom she had known so long, no matter how far away they were. She would participate in great chat sessions, keeping the group entertained, still finding time to write and snail-mail out letters and pretty cards to those far away.
Jacquelyn cherished animals, having raised several dogs and cats over the years. Two of her cats in Savannah, Snip and Stripe, lived with her for 16 years. At the time of her death, she was raising two cats named Sammy and Mimi that brightened her day. Her friends, family, students, and her cats brought great happiness to her life! Although her family lived far away, she also enjoyed chatting with them daily by telephone when it was possible.
Jacquelyn Williams was a woman of faith who worshipped God and Jesus while appreciating all people of all religions, races, and ethnicities. This is why she wanted to help so many children learn to read and write.

She is survived by her three children, including Bill Williams, Rebecca Redovan, and Laura Sweeney. Her grandchildren include Sean, Joshua, Susan, Giovanni, Francesca, and Carmen.

Jacquelyn Sweeney will be buried in New Philadelphia, Ohio, beside her father, mother, and many family members.

Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the Williams family.