Woman Featured in HBO's Thin Found Dead
 

http://www.laurengreenfield.com/index.php?p=KDWKQT5H


Polly Ann Williams in Memorium (1974-2008)

From Johnson City Press Newspaper...

Pollack Williams - HIXSON
HIXSON — Pollack “Polly” Ann Williams, age 33, of 1421 Cloverdale Dr., Hixson, Tennessee, died Friday, February 8, 2008, at her residence.

Polly was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and had lived most of her life in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Susan Lancaster Rule and George Alex Williams II. Her stepfather was Jim Rule.

Polly was a graduate of University High School in Johnson City, where she was a member of the Academic Decathlon that was ranked third in the nation. She graduated with honors from Virginia Tech, where she majored in English with a concentration in Shakespearean studies and a minor in communications. While at Virginia Tech she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She remained an avid Virginia Tech “Hokie.”

Polly had been featured in Lauren Greenfield’s HBO documentary THIN. She was also a lobbyist for the National Eating Disorders Association.

Polly loved children and butterflies. She used her love for children in her work photographing children for LifeTouch studios with JC Penney Company. She received recognition for her photography by becoming the district event coordinator in Hixson LifeTouch Studios and by winning manager of the month, sales average achievement award and was featured in JC Penney’s master gallery photography book.

Her sisters remember that her life motto was simply “Believe.”

She is survived by her mother and step-father, Susan and Jim Rule, of Johnson City; her father, Alex Williams, of Gray; her maternal grandparents, Barbara and Hanes Lancaster; her fraternal grandmother, Isabel Daniels Williams, all of Johnson City; three sisters, Bebe W. Reed and her husband, Bo, of Cartersville, Georgia, Susan Staley W. Smith and her husband, Wayne, of Winder, Georgia, Betsy Williams, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and a stepsister, Courtney Rule Williams and her husband, Richard, of Johnson City. She is also survived by adored nieces and nephews, Madison Reed, Trey Reed, Staley Reed, Brackin Smith, Reed Smith, Lilly Ann Smith and Emma Williams.

Funeral services for Ms Williams will be held Monday at 8:00 PM at Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. Rev. Larry Nees will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 until 8 PM. Graveside services and burial will be at Monte Vista Memorial Park at 10 AM on Tuesday. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

For those who wish to make contributions in memory of Polly, the family suggests National Eating Disorders at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601. Phone: (423) 282-1521.

Thank you so much for posting this. I have a relative who has battled with anorexia nervosa and still worries too much about her weight and the weight of other people. It is a serious disorder. It is NOT all in people's heads. There is nothing sexy about being emaciated.

Polly was my friend. I first met her in kindergarden, and we graduated high school together (I was on the AD team mentioned in the obit). She touched many lives in a very short time through her friends and family and with those who suffer/ed with eating disorders. The funeral home was packed on Monday, and there are countless online condolences sent by those who she affected and inspired through her fight against anorexia and bulimia. She leaves behind a wonderful family (that has strong KD roots BTW) and many who will miss her.

I am so sorry for the loss of Polly. She really touched me in the documentory as a strong soul who was misunderstood. My heart goes out to all of her friends and family. She will be missed by many, including myself, who never had the honor to meet her.

This is so sad. I hadn't seen the documentary. I just put it at the top of my Netflix queue. Thanks for letting us know, Benzgirl.

This had not been a good week for Kappa Delta. :(

^ Seriously. My heartfelt condolences.

We have a sister who has fought anoerexia for years. At one point, she was down to 48 pounds - I literally threw up when I saw her. She's under constant court order; if she's ever under 90 pounds, she has to go back to a psychiatric hospital. She was so vibrant and loving, it's hard to see her go through this.