Longtime Henderson County Schools staffer Cindy Williams passes away

HENDERSON, Ky. - Longtime Henderson County Schools staffer Cindy Williams passed away Friday at age 54 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Williams was the Henderson County Schools public relations officer, and had worked for the school district for 31 years in a variety of very visible and community-oriented roles.

According to a release from the school system's central office, "Cindy began her career with Henderson County Schools in 1988 serving throughout the years as an Administrative Assistant, Director of Publications, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Public Relations Officer. She graduated from Henderson Community College and Western Kentucky University. She was an active member of the Kentucky School Public Relations Association and served as a  Board Member, Secretary, Treasurer, and President.

"She received several awards throughout the years including a  Kentucky School Public Relations Association (KYSPRA)/Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) OASIS Outstanding Achievement in School Information Services award and an Outstanding School Photography award. In 1999, Cindy was selected to serve as a Fellow of the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership through the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence."

Williams served in a long list of capacities for the local board of education.

She was the volunteer coordinator, multi-cultural coordinator, Arts in the Schools coordinator, district photographer, ABA cheer coordinator, and Community Education and Outreach coordinator.

"Additionally, Cindy was very active in the community and served on several boards and committees including United Way, Volunteer and Information Center, Salvation Army, Downtown Henderson Partnership, Methodist Hospital, American Cancer Society, Leadership Henderson, and Henderson Area Arts Alliance."

She was also an assistant cheerleading coach for both North Middle School and Henderson County High School cheer programs.

Williams is survived by her husband, Tim, and two daughters.

“Our hearts have been saddened by the loss of our colleague, Cindy," said Marganna Stanley, superintendent of Henderson County Schools.

"She was committed to Henderson County Schools students and staff to an exemplary level. She reflected our core values on a daily basis and went above and beyond in everything that she did. This loss creates a void among our team at Henderson County Schools and she will truly be missed.”

Visitation for Williams will be on Wednesday, July 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. and from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Both the visitation and funeral will be at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 450 Fagan Street in Henderson.