Eleanor Lee Williams Zieman, 78, of Gulf Breeze, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Pensacola, FL.

Born on January 10, 1948, in Langdale, AL, Eleanor was the beloved daughter of the Reverend Dr. Otis Clayton Williams and Eleanor Atchison Williams. Raised in a home rooted in faith and service, she carried those values throughout her life. Her faith remained an important part of her life as she was a devoted member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze.

Eleanor spent her formative years in Greenville, AL, where she attended high school and built many lifelong friendships that meant so much to her. It was there that she became known affectionately as “Sister,” a nickname given to her by her closest friends and one they lovingly continued to use throughout her life.

After graduating from Samford University in Birmingham, AL, in 1970, Eleanor moved to Pensacola Beach, FL, where her life changed forever when she met the love of her life, Dr. Steve Zieman. The two would go on to be married to each other for 50 years, building a life filled with love, laughter, family, and happiness. Their devotion to one another and the life they created together served as an inspiration to all who knew them.

Eleanor worked as office manager at Renfroe Zieman Family Dentistry alongside her husband before later joining McAlpin Interiors in the same role. In both positions, she brought warmth, efficiency, and genuine care for others, making her a valued colleague and a welcoming presence to patients, clients, and friends alike.

A devoted member of the Gulf Breeze community, Eleanor generously shared her time and talents with numerous civic and charitable organizations. She volunteered with the Society of the Debutante Charity Cotillion, Fiesta of Five Flags, the Junior League of Pensacola, and she was a longtime member of the Miraflorist Garden Club, and many other organizations that enriched the community she loved.

To know Eleanor was to love her. She was a force of nature whose quick wit, infectious laugh, and unmistakable sense of humor brightened every room she entered. Wherever she went, people naturally gravitated toward her. At any gathering, Eleanor could be found surrounded by family and friends, holding court with stories, laughter, and a remarkable ability to make everyone feel included. Her vibrant personality and generous spirit created countless treasured memories that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Above all else, Eleanor’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Steve, and a loving mother and grandmother who cherished every opportunity to spend time with those she loved. Her family was the center of her life, and the love, guidance, and laughter she shared with them will remain her greatest legacy.

Eleanor is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. Stephen Zieman of Gulf Breeze; her son, Dr. Stephen Zieman, Jr. and his wife, Michelle, of Pensacola; her daughters, Sarah Zieman Martinez and her husband, Alberto, of Alexandria, VA, and Caroline Zieman Snyder and her husband, Brett, of Pensacola; her cherished grandchildren, Maddy and Emilia Zieman, Alby and Eleanor Jane Martinez, Otis Snyder; her step-grandchildren, Jackson and Amelia Snyder; and her beloved nephew, Edward Lee Williams, and his wife, Meaghan, of Long Island, NY, along with their sons, Clayton and Cooper Williams.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the Reverend Dr. Otis Clayton Williams and Eleanor Atchison Williams, and her brother, Ray Clayton Williams.

A visitation will be held from 10:00am until a Memorial Mass begins at 11:00am on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, FL, with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. A reception in the Parish Hall will immediately follow the service.

Eleanor’s legacy is one of unwavering love, joyful laughter, steadfast faith, and genuine friendship. She leaves behind a family who adored her, a community made brighter by her presence, and countless friends whose lives were enriched by her warmth, humor, and generous heart. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she shared and the memories she created will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.