Dea Karol Williams, age 67 years, of Elkton, Maryland passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Dea was born on January 28, 1959, to David and Margaret (Peggy) Williams of Elkton, Maryland and was one of seven children. She was a graduate of Elkton High School, where she played field hockey and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Following graduation, she attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Shortly thereafter, Dea was employed by Cecil County Public Schools as an elementary school teacher. She taught primary education at Leeds Elementary School, including grades 1, 2 and 3, for thirty-one years. She influenced hundreds of lives through her role as a teacher and was characterized by her focus on students with compassion and kindness. She earned her Master’s Equivalency throughout that time. She was also nominated for the prestigious Teacher of the Year for the Cecil County Public Schools. Following her retirement, she was a substitute teacher for CCPS and managed local properties for her family.

Dea was a member of the Cecil County Classrooms Teachers Association, and a lifelong member of the Elkton Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and in the Praise Band. She was also a loyal participant at the Food Pantry at the church. Dea enjoyed going to the beach, doing puzzles and cryptograms, writing poetry like her paternal grandmother, and taking lots of trips with her sisters. Her family, especially her five grandchildren, were the greatest joy of her life.

She leaves behind two sons, Matthew Allen Welch (Cristina) of Wilmington, Delaware, and MacKenzie Allen Welch of Capistrano Beach, California and five grandchildren (Jaxon, Jonathan, Vivian, Weston and Wyatt Welch) to cherish her memory. Her siblings include D’Ette E. Devine, Barry L. Williams (Mary Ann), DeVon W. Daniels (Kit), David K. Williams (Tracey), K. Jane Williams, and Thomas T. Williams (Jacquelyn) and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and lifelong friends who loved her dearly. She is also survived by her former husbands, Mark Welch and Perry Seaman and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Peggy Williams, her aunt and uncle Jane and Richard Sommers, and her beloved daughter, Taylor Kathryn Welch.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 10:00 am to noon followed by a funeral service to be held at the Elkton Presbyterian Church, 209 East Main Street, Elkton, Maryland. Interment will follow at the Cherry Hill Methodist Church Cemetery and will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions may be made to the Elkton Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, The Judy Center of Elkton, Maryland, or Cecil Anchor Point (formerly CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate) in care of Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 W. Stockton Street, Elkton, MD 21921 in Dea’s Memory.

The family would like to thank Dea’s faithful caregivers, Tina Mayberry and Stacey Elder, and her doctors Robert Monteleone, Jacqueline Karis and Kathleen Rowan, The Swank Center at Christiana Care, and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Further appreciation is extended to the Elkton Presbyterian Church, Pastor Gary Willingham-McClain and Pastor Laurie Loveless (retired), Hicks Home for Funerals, and Amedisys Hospice. In addition, the family is grateful for the many kindnesses and love shown to Dea and her family by friends and the greater community.