Juanita (Libby) Elizabeth Hill Williams passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026, after a short battle with dementia.
Juanita (Libby) was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Hill Jr, and Stella Juanita Hill.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Joseph Allen Williams; her son, Joseph Allen Williams Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kelly Raye; grandchildren Brahn and Brianna Marie; her sister, Dorothy Faye (Terry) Holman; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Libby was born in Jellico, TN. Her parents moved for TVA employment. She spent her childhood in Kingston and Estill Springs, Tennessee, and in Arab and Florence, Alabama. While in college, she married Joseph. After her son Allen was born, Libby volunteered at school to help children who were falling behind. Seeing the need for kindergarten and nursery options in Kingston, she bought and repurposed an older house for the “Happy Day School.”
The Happy Day School closed when kindergarten was added to public schools. After selling her kindergarten, Juanita (Libby) started a children’s museum in the old, abandoned Roane County Courthouse. Permission was granted to use the building because there was talk of tearing it down for a parking lot. After cleaning, painting, and securing grants, the building was ready for display cabinets and items for the bicentennial year. The museum was a success, giving schoolteachers a place to take their students for a museum experience. During this time, she was also a co-leader for Cub Scout Troop 101.
Libby opened the Trading Nook, an arts-and-crafts store in downtown Kingston. Eventually, the children’s museum closed, and some artifacts were consolidated with the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum. While running the Trading Nook, she began painting and selling her artwork. Libby completed her education at the University of Tennessee, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master of Fine Arts. She then taught part-time at Roane State Community College and the Oak Ridge Art Center. Later, she became an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee.
Libby loved canoeing and cruising. She was a member of the Oak Ridge Rowing Club, taking part in rowing and sailing events on Watts Bar Lake and the Caribbean Islands. Libby was also a member of the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club and enjoyed teaching Sunday School for a time.
Libby’s grandchildren arrived in 2001. She was a devoted and active grandmother, which led her to retire from teaching in 2005. Libby and Joseph enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, enriching their lives with learning adventures, cultural experiences, and travel. In retirement, Libby continued her lifelong pursuit of learning with her husband through adult education classes.
Libby’s family would like to thank all nurses, nurse aides, doctors, and the chaplain of East Tennessee Hospice for their living example of a Good Samaritan. In lieu of flowers, please send your donation to either the Pat Summit Foundation [www.patsummitt.org] or the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum [www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org]. The family visitation will be from 11:00am until 11:45am Monday, January 19, 2026 followed by a Celebration of Life at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston, Tennessee. A private burial for the immediate family. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston is serving the Williams Family.