Posted 12:18 am Thursday, February 09, 2012
Palestine City Worker Dies, Cause Unclear
By TIM MONZINGO
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Anderson County authorities are awaiting toxicology results in the unusual death of a city employee that occurred earlier this week.
Deputies were called to the home of Municipal Court Clerk Kelly Williams at 6:45 a.m. Monday for a medical emergency. Ms. Williams, 31, died a short time later at Palestine Regional Medical Center, Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said Wednesday.
"She did fall and did hit her head, but that injury didn't seem very serious," Taylor said. "It's odd. It's sad."
Taylor said deputies are interviewing those who knew Ms. Williams, who gave birth to a son about six weeks ago. The child is now in the care of family members, he said.
Ms. Williams' body was sent to Forensic Medical Management Services of Texas in Tyler for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, Justice of the Peace Carl Davis said. Until the toxicology report is returned, which could take between three weeks and a month, it is unclear what caused Ms. Williams' death.
While the circumstances surrounding her death are strange, Taylor said there were no indications of foul play - no forced entry and no signs of a struggle.
"We don't think it was foul play at this juncture," the sheriff said.
Ms. Williams worked for the City of Palestine as a municipal court clerk since January 2009, City Manager Mike Ohrt said.
"She really wanted to help people as best she could," he said. "It's just a real tragic loss for us."
In response to Ms. Williams' death, the city has flown its flags at half-staff in honor of her memory, he said.
City employees started a memorial fund to help her family in caring for the child she left behind and use as they see fit, he said. People who do not work for the city have contributed as well.
"She touched a lot of people," he said. "Kelly was just a wonderful person. She always had a smile on her face."
Visitation services for Ms. Williams will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Bailey and Foster Chapel. A service for her will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the same location.
Ohrt said city hall will close at noon Friday so Ms. Willams' friends and coworkers can attend the service.
"It's a shame we're having to go through this," he said.
