Marie Dewitt "Maridee" Williams

Marie Dewitt “Maridee” Williams, 75, of Watkinsville, died Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Maridee was the longtime general manager of The Oconee Enterprise and a driving force behind its survival and success as an independent newspaper.

Maridee was preceded in death by her parents Vinnie and Roy Williams; her beloved horse of almost 30 years, Prince; and numerous rescued cats including her treasured Lucky.

Born Jan. 2, 1950, in Honolulu at Tripler Army Hospital, Maridee was the daughter of Vinnie Williams and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Roy Williams. Her family later lived in Cambria, California, before settling in Thomson, where she developed a love of parades, music and community life. Those early experiences later inspired her to lead the Watkinsville Christmas Parade for 20 years.

Maridee was active in Girl Scouts, Future Homemakers of America and home economics programs, eventually becoming an accomplished seamstress. She attended Stephens College before transferring to Florida State University, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising.

Her professional career began in advertising, where she worked for multiple agencies and handled major accounts including Delta Air Lines, Nabisco, Georgia Pacific, Turner Broadcasting Systems, the Georgia Department of Industry and Trade, Autodesk and Domino’s Pizza. She later founded her own consulting business and taught advertising print production at the Art Institute of Atlanta. She was also a founder and lifetime member of the Atlanta Print Production Association.

After moving to Watkinsville in 1991 to pursue a master’s degree in clothing and textiles at the University of Georgia, Maridee agreed to temporarily assist her mother at The Oconee Enterprise.

Vinnie eventually convinced her to stay, and she joined The Enterprise full time as general manager in 1994. Maridee and Vinnie became known as a formidable mother-daughter partnership, blending Vinnie Williams’ literary skill and journalistic instincts with Maridee Williams’ business expertise and advertising background. Together, their leadership at the newspaper spanned 41 years.

Maridee was deeply involved in the Watkinsville community, serving as chair of the Watkinsville Trade and Tourism Association, organizing the city’s bicentennial celebration, supporting Oconee Fire Rescue, and participating in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Despite serious medical challenges, including surgery for a pituitary tumor and complications from vasculitis, Maridee remained active and resilient. An avid equestrian, she earned the Dean Bishop Memorial Trophy and multiple blue ribbons at the South Carolina Fall Classic in 2008. After a temporary hiatus from riding, she returned to the saddle in 2012 and continued riding her prized Missouri Foxtrotter, Prince, for another decade.

Maridee was known for demanding excellence while mentoring young journalists and staff members. Under the leadership of Maridee and her mother, the newspaper earned numerous awards for excellence.

Maridee guided the newspaper through periods of growth as well as challenges such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. After her mother’s death in 2020, Maridee reaffirmed her commitment to keeping the paper independently owned. She sold the newspaper to a local entrepreneur in late 2022 and stepped down due to health issues.

Maridee spent her final years doing the things that she adored most; tending to her garden, riding her horse, and gathering with friends who were like family. She leaves behind numerous friends and caregivers who walked alongside her until the end.

A visitation will be held Friday, January 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Watkinsville Cemetery. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville is entrusted with arrangements.