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Newana Chesser Williams, age 90, of Bainbridge, Georgia, passed away on July 7, 2024, in Bainbridge. Services for Ms. Williams will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Cadwell Chapel of Cox-Ivey Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Medley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. 

      Newana Chesser Williams was born in Foley, Florida on July 21, 1933, to her parents, Robert Franklin Chesser and Libby Dice Chesser.  The youngest of four children, Newana learned responsibility at a young age as she ran the family grocery store, Chesser Grocery in Foley, Florida. She was the Valedictorian of Foley High School where she was captain of the basketball team.  She held an Associate Degree.  Ms. Williams served as the administrator of Bainbridge Memorial Hospital and Calhoun Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Georgia.  Her hospital was certified by the Joint Commission on Health, and it always passed as she expected and maintained excellence.  She served as a member of the Joint Hospital Association and the Georgia Hospital Association.  She was a talented lady and planned and worked on the accreditation of Phoebe Putney’s Primary Healthcare of Albany, and she drew the plans for two personal care homes.  Newana stayed active in her community as long as her health allowed.  After her retirement, she volunteered in the gift shop of Bainbridge Memorial Hospital. She was a very faithful member of First Baptist Church in Bainbridge where she played the piano for 20 years.  Her musical talent was her ministry to the Lord and others. Newana Chesser Williams will be missed by her family and many friends.

     Newana Chesser Williams is survived by her children, Julie Williams Reifsnyder, Jim Williams (Linda), and Jeanie Harrell; her daughter-in-law, Phyllis Williams as well as her eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Joseph (Joe) Williams, her grandson, Jason Harrell as well as her brothers, William (Billy) Williams, Raymond (Ray) Williams, and Edison (Ed) Williams.

     Memorials may be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Bainbridge, Georgia, 39818.

     The family wishes to thank Dr. Sarah Hampton, Kaye Taylor Monello and Georgia Hospice for the love and care shown for Ms. Williams.

     Online condolences may be made at www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com. Cox-Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.