Peggy Williams

Peggy Nance Williams, a mother and a lawyer from Nashville, passed away suddenly Saturday, January 30, 2016.

A former school teacher who went on to contribute to efforts to make Tennessee state government more ethical, Peggy's proudest achievement was her son Jackson who, at age 16, survives her. She's also survived by her husband Phil Williams of Nashville and parents Allan and Mildred Nance of Lancing, Tennessee.

Peggy was born May 18, 1955, in Wartburg, Tennessee, and she grew up in the tiny town of Lancing. She was proud of her heritage. She found inspiration in the fact that her father went from being a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse to later achieving election as superintendent of schools for Morgan County. She proudly recalled books he had shared with his young daughter as he put himself through the University of Tennessee. Peggy's respect and love for her mother was immense. She thought her mother was one of the hardest-working, most determined women she had ever known. She fondly recalled their Saturday mornings, watching television together while her mother ironed clothes for the week.

In 1976, following in her father's footsteps, Peggy graduated with high honors from the University of Tennessee with a degree in education, going on to teach elementary school in Maryville and Gallatin. One of her proudest moments was her realization that one struggling student had been wrongly placed in special education. Suspecting that his real problem was his poor eyesight, Peggy took the young boy on her own time to get eyeglasses and then convinced school officials to give him a chance to succeed in a mainstream curriculum. That student went on to become a well-respected high school coach who would often call Peggy to check in and express his gratitude for her efforts on his behalf.

Seeking a bigger challenge, Peggy enrolled in law school and, in 1985, she graduated from the University of Tennessee with her doctor of jurisprudence. In 1987, she was appointed assistant state elections coordinator for the Tennessee Department of State. Later that year, following a gambling scandal that had rocked the Secretary of State's Office, she was appointed director of the Division of Charitable Solicitations. Much to the chagrin of her political leadership, she hired former FBI investigators to join her team of inspectors. She often recalled with amusement the stunned reaction when an attractive young woman would lead those teams into charity bingo halls, which had been taken over by corrupt gambling figures. She quietly worked with FBI and TBI agents, assisting them in their criminal investigations of corruption inside state government. Information that she uncovered contributed to the indictments returned as part of what became known as Operation Rocky Top. While leading efforts to clean up the troubled office, Peggy assisted state lawmakers in drafting and passing landmark ethics reform that serves as the foundation for ethics laws that are on the books today.

In 1990, she was named the first executive director of the newly created Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, which was given the difficult job of policing Capitol Hill lobbyists and enforcing campaign finance laws in the state. She held that position for a decade. At one of the Registry's first meetings, Peggy cautioned board members about similar agencies in other states having faced budget cuts when they challenged legislators whom they were expected to police. "We won't be very popular," she warned - a statement that would later prove to be prophetic.

On Valentine's Day 1997, Peggy married Phil in a ceremony officiated by former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol. A few years later, one subject of her husband's investigative reporting retaliated against Phil with a vicious personal attack directed at Peggy. She insisted that Phil hold the course and stand for what was right. Her mantra: "Don't let the bastards win!"

After leaving state government in 2000, Peggy began a new career in real estate law in Clarksville and Brentwood. Most recently, she worked for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee at its Maryland Farms location.

But more than any professional accomplishment, Peggy was so proud that - at age 44 - she delivered an incredibly healthy and bright son. The name Jackson came from her love of Tennessee history. She took such great delight in each milestone of Jackson's life, from preschool graduation to, most recently, his first homecoming dance. She encouraged his love for piano, taking pleasure in his love of playing the 19th century upright piano that she had inherited from her grandmother.

Peggy was a member of the Presbyterian Church and once served as an elder in her home congregation in Lancing.

One of Jackson's favorite photos accompanies this obituary. For years, it had rested inside what the family called his "God Box," reflecting those matters which he had surrendered to a higher power.

Now, we've turned Peggy herself over to God, knowing that she has found peace. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, from 5-8 p.m. CST at Glen Leven Presbyterian Church, 3906 Franklin Pike, Nashville. At approximately 7:45 p.m., the visitation will conclude with a brief service of benediction, led by the Rev. Mark Bryan.

A second visitation will occur Thursday at 11 a.m. EST at Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg, Morgan County, TN., followed by a funeral service at noon officiated by the Rev. Carolyn Anderson.

Burial will take place at Kobley Cemetery, across the road from Peggy's childhood home in Lancing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cumberland Heights, P.O. Box 90727, Nashville, TN. 37209, for efforts benefiting the children's program