Kelly's Sweetheart Tea

February 7, 2009 - First Assembly of God

Kelly Williams Remembered at Second Annual Survivor Tea

Front Royal, VA - The second annual survivor tea hosted by the Steering Committee of the Relay for Life of Front Royal/Warren County was held on February 7, 2009 at the First Assembly of God in Front Royal. With its Valentine theme, door prizes provided by the American Cancer Society and area businesses, and tea sandwiches, snacks, and sweets prepared by the committee, the event has quickly become a favorite. It was well attended by over sixty guests.

The tea was renamed Kelly’s Sweetheart Tea this year in honor of Kelly Williams, who started the event as a way to support and celebrate survivors in our community. Williams, a Front Royal resident, volunteered as a Survivorship Chair and relayed with the Jack Evans team for her tenth year in 2008, while herself undergoing grueling treatment for a recurrence of cancer. A survivor of several years, she spoke at the inaugural tea about her struggles and perseverance, motivating and inspiring others. "I would like to encourage you to keep a positive attitude and continue to fight, and for you survivors out there, remember to celebrate each day as if it was your last,” she said.

While terminally ill, Williams continued her work with relay with dogged tenacity. She celebrated her birthday at the June 2008 relay with her friends and family surrounding and supporting her. She was ferociously dedicated to the cause, and instilled that passion in her family. Last year, her eight year-old daughter Kaylee started her own relay team, Kaylee’s Hope, in honor of her mother and raised over $8,000 by dispersing piggy banks throughout area businesses to collect funds. Kaylee was presented with a Regional Award of Excellence for Youth Fundraising for her efforts.

Kelly Williams’s sister and caregiver Angela Marlow is also an active participant in relay, having participated with the Toray team for the last two seasons and as the team’s captain this year. She also gave the Caregiver speech at both teas, each time lauding her sister’s dedication and strength of spirit and delivering an emotionally charged and beautiful tribute to Williams and their family. A familiar sight at past relay events, Kelly’s husband Glenn Williams, daughter Kaylee, son Josh, sister-in-law Crystal Williamson, and mother and father Jeanie and David Schuster were also in attendance.

Kelly Williams not only motivated her family, but everyone who knew her. Fay Trego, a Rileyville resident and fellow survivor, who attended the 2008 tea, was the Survivor speaker this year. “Kelly Williams was a courageous soldier. She was admired and respected for all her efforts in the battle against cancer. This special lady was an inspiration to all of us, after meeting her even the strongest skeptic would become a believer in her drive and compassion,“ Trego said.

Williams never lost sight of her goals and passion. She herself made sure that her steering committee duties would be taken over by capable hands before her passing in November 2008. She even arranged for a request to be made on her behalf of attendees at her funeral service to continue the fight against cancer.

At the 2008 Survivor Tea, Kelly Williams said it best, “Remember our fellow survivors who have lost their battle,” she said, “Fight back. Keep fighting every day. Continue to participate in Relay for Life or other organizations that help raise money to continue research for finding a cure."

Although she will be sorely missed by all who knew her, in her wake Kelly Williams leaves her family and her relay family with a feeling of HOPE, a common purpose, and the motivation to carry on with her work. – Claudia Pfeiffer

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