Rebecca Chase Williams, who served as mayor of Brookhaven from 2015 to 2016, is recovering at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital after several recent surgeries.
Her husband, Dick Williams, editor and publisher of the weekly Dunwoody Crier and host of the weekly Georgia Gang on the local Fox affiliate every Sunday morning, said Mrs. Williams underwent surgery six weeks ago. However, complications after about three weeks into the recovery led to two more emergency surgeries within days of each other. He said she is doing better. He declined to discuss her specific illness.
“She’s much improved now and is soon to enter rehab,” Mr. Williams said Nov. 2 in an interview.
Williams thanked neighbors, friends and residents of Brookhaven and Dunwoody for helping him and his family during the trying time. Friends and loved ones have signed up to keep his refrigerator full through an online food service, and he even has a high school student is carrying out his garbage. Another neighbor blew out leaves and from their driveway. Mr. Williams continues to work on his TV show and the newspaper when not with Mrs. Williams at the hospital.
A retired national reporter for ABC News, Mrs. Williams was a longtime neighborhood activist when she got involved in the cityhood movement that led to Brookhaven’s 2012 founding. She was elected to the first City Council and was appointed mayor this year when J. Max Davis resigned to run for a state representative seat. Williams dropped out of last year’s mayoral race, citing family health concerns.
She has been working with a Brookhaven historical society, an extension of a local history project she funded with mayoral discretionary funds. A local history book in the “Images of America” series is likely to come out of that effort.
At the Oct. 25 Brookhaven City Council Oct. 25 meeting, Mayor John Ernst and the council members said they were praying for Mrs. Williams and keeping her in their thoughts as she recovers and asked residents to do so, too.
Mr. Williams asked that no flowers be sent to Mrs. Williams’ room, but said she does appreciate cards.
A Facebook group has also been set up to keep people posted on her condition by searching “Rebecca Williams Updates.”
Cards can be mailed to Saint Joseph’s in Mrs. Williams name to 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Rebecca Chase Williams is a courageous woman of integrity. I wish her a swift recovery.
Speedy recovery, Becky!! Please tell Dick that I said hello!!–Tom