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Family, friends gather to remember 78-year-old metro Atlanta man killed after tree fell on his car

Hebert Lee Williams owned a shop and often helped the community.

JONESBORO, Ga. — Family and friends gathered to remember Herbert Lee Williams on Saturday.

The 78-year-old business owner was killed when storms blew through Georgia this week. 

A tree fell on his car while he was driving on Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro Tuesday.

Herbert's family released balloons in front of the shop that he owns, Sound Decisionz Car Stereo, in Jonesboro. 

Herbert's daughter, Kathy Butler, said for more than 20 years, Herbert had the same routine. 

"He was never late," Butler said. "This store is always open on time. And that particular morning, he wasn't here."

 That's when Herbert's wife Dorothy knew something was wrong. Shortly after, she got the dreadful news. 

"You don't know how it feels to drive up to a site and see you're family deceased in a car and can't move," Dorothy said, adding she hasn't been feeling strong. 

"I have to pass that site every day," she continued. 

 A memorial now lays where the tree once was. Dorothy said her husband knew something was wrong well before the tragedy happened. 

"'They need to cut that tree down. It's leaning.' And he said, 'That's a sad way to go. I hope I never experience a tree falling on me.' And that's why it hurt me so badly because that's exactly how he left here," Dorothy said.

She said she plans to advocate so this doesn't happen to another family, asking the county to check trees and cut them down if need be.

Dorothy explained that Herbert was always giving back to the community.

"A man would come and borrow money until his check comes in," Dorothy said. "People come in here hungry."

His grandson, Lamar, hopes to continue that legacy.

"He impacted everything," Lamar said. "So, we're just trying to start from scratch."

Dorothy said it's that kind of family support that gives her the willpower to look forward, as the blueprint has already been laid out.

"I have all the faith in the world that I'm going to make it with the strength and support of the people who love me," she added.

The family prayed together, lit candles, and watched the blue balloons, Herbert's favorite color, float into the sky. 

"We'll figure it out because we had a good teacher," Dorothy said.

 The family said Herbert's funeral is Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Center of Hope.

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