Gail M. Williams

Shirley “Gail” M. Williams, 87 of Augusta, GA, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Kentwood Extended Care.

Gail was born in Gaffney, SC to the late Jeanette M. Albright and the late Almon B. Martin on September 1, 1935. She was a graduate of Richmond Academy, class of 1952. Gail married her high school sweetheart, David B. Williams, Sr. on February 4, 1953, and they remained married until his death in 1986. Together they had two children, a son, D. Bradley (Brad) Williams, Jr., and a daughter, Deanna (Dede) Williams Thurmond.

Gail worked at the Savannah River Site during the early 50's and co-owned several businesses with her husband, including Cart Land of Augusta and Augusta Gallery Antiques, which later became Augusta Gallery Office Furniture and Interiors. She continued to run Augusta Gallery along with her children until its closing in 2002. She was also the owner of Mod Shops of Georgia.

Gail, or “Bakka” as she became known, had a love for her family that was unmatched. Her children and grandchildren were the most important things in her life. Gail enjoyed antiques and collectibles, interior design, flower arranging and spending time with her family and friends. She was rarely seen without one of her infamous hats, red lipstick, and red fingernails.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, and a brother, Thomas Andrew Martin.

She is survived by her daughter, Dede Williams Thurmond; grandsons, Ryan Thurmond, Tanner Thurmond and Trent Williams; her son's wife, Christina Wilk Williams, son-in-law Gary Thurmond, all of Augusta; sisters, Edie M. Rodgers of Beaufort, SC, Barbara M. Warriner (Rick) of Banner Elk, NC and Sandra Dawson of Austin, TX; sister-in-law Lena Martin of Martinez, GA; lifelong friends April Cory and Connie Malott, as well as countless nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Gary Thurmond, Steve Martin, Cary Long, Walt Rodgers, Matthew Rodgers, and Frank McPhail. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ryan, Tanner, and Trent.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 11, 2023 in the chapel at Platt’s Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave., Augusta, GA 30904. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park. The visitation will be the evening prior to the service from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Please sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.plattsfuneralhome.com.