Tammy Lynn (Williams) Icard ,58, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her home on February 19th, 2025. Tammy was born on June 18th, 1966, in San Bernadino California. Tammy dedicated her life to her two daughters and her community. To know her was to love her and boy did she love HARD.
She received her bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Criminal Justice. She started her career as an officer with the CMPD and moved from Charlotte to Icard, NC to further her career working for the Western Carolina Youth Institution as a Unit Manager for 20 plus years. Upon its closure she continued her tenure at the Foothills Correctional Institution as a Program Director II. If you know Tammy, and her work ethic you know she couldn’t slow down. She enjoyed the classes she was able to teach while in the prison system and continued after retirement as a substitute teacher for Burke County.
Tammy was very athletic to say the least. Not only did she grow up on the softball field but also in the ring, as a professional female boxer. With Tammy being an outstanding catcher, many referred to her as “Toad” whom many of her childhood friends know her by. Upon having two girls, ten years apart, the love for the game stayed tight in the family. Tammy was a single mother of two and continued to provide so both girls could remain on the field. She spent countless hours at the ballpark each week and weekend pushing and coaching girls to be the best version of themselves. Tammy was a woman if you didn’t believe in yourself, she would show you every ounce and reason on why you should and continue to push you to believe in your own self on and off the field. Whether she was coaching, umpiring, or cheering on from the bleachers, nobody could outshine Tammy’s enthusiasm.
Tammy instilled a great legacy of confident strong women all because of the woman who raised her, Joyce. Joyce was a single mother of four, with Tammy being the youngest and only daughter. Tammy is preceded in death by her mother Joyce Williams; her father George Raymond Williams; and her brother Tim Williams. Tammy is survived by her daughters; Dakota (Zachary) Jones; Kayleigh Icard; her granddaughter Henderson Jones; her brothers Raymond (Delaine) Williams; Terry (Joanne) Williams; her niece Stephanie Williams; her great nieces Mati Bostic and Annah Bostic; and many lifelong devoted friends she considered family.
A celebration of life for Tammy will be announced at a later date.
What a beautiful tribute! It says it all. I loved loved loved her big. So many wonderful memories and mischief growing up that helped mold who we both were as mothers & “sisters”. Her legacy will live on in Dakota & Kayleigh. And now the legacy can continue on in Dakota & Zack’s baby girl. Much love & prayers in the days ahead!
So sorry , prayers and hold y’all tight.
What an amazing legacy that Tammy leaves behind. You can always tell how special someone was by how hard their absence is on those that love them. This one is going to be very hard. Dakota and Kayleigh, you are and continue to remain in my prayers. I love you both.
Tammy, I will love you beyond the beyond.
I loved this precious girl!! She did love hard!!!
To the family, we offer our sincerest condolences. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest easy Tammy. You were a hell of a boss and also a friend. I will never forget you meeting mom and sitting with her as you two had snuff in the hospital. Now you can dip and laugh together and share more stories. Thank you for not only being my boss but for your friendship and support. Until we meet again. Hattie Bumgarner “SGT BG”
Tammy was loved and respected by all those who knew her. She will be missed! Prayers and love going out to her family ❣️
Your place in this earth has ended and all your family is grieving, we know there is a chance we will be reunited someday and what a day that will be. Your now your families Guardian Angel. Fly freely and continue to love fiercely.
Tammy is going to be so deeply missed. Prayers going up for Dakota and Kayleigh.
She was a true inspiration and she will be truly missed. Prayers and hugs to her girls and family.
Tammy was one of those people who you come across in our paths that you simply can’t forget. She was one of the most loyal employees I ever supervised. She did her job not because it was her job, she did it because she believed she was making a difference in someone’s life.
To her family: I’m so sorry she left us early, no words will take the pain away but know she’s in a better place without suffering.
A friendship that started in Middle School and has lasted DECADES cut short too soon Tammy Icard , you gained your wings far too soon. My heart breaks for your girls that you loved from every fiber of your being. Words can’t express the complete devastation that I feel with your loss of life. If I can’t say this about anyone else, I can say this about YOU…. You were an amazingly GENUINE person and friend to all that met you. I can only speak for myself when I say that not once did I ever feel “judged” by you. You personified the phrase “Don’t see color”. From the moment our friendship started, we never looked back. All of the countless nights I spent at your house, staying up all night, laughing, eating junk food and then playing in the yard the next day. We were great teammates for DOUG DORSEY INSURANCE, we proudly word those hideous Orange and White uniforms and continued our teammate run for the next four years in high school ….. WE THOUGHT WE LOOKED GOOD! 🤣🤣🤣 Take your rest my sweet friend, you’ve done an amazing job with your girls, God has them from here on. Until we meet again…. My “TOAD” forever young!!
Mona….. ERHS CLASS OF ‘84
Prayers to her family during this time of sorrow. Tammy and I worked at Western Youth. She was a fine person and will be missed.
I still can’t wrap my head around this I can’t believe you’re gone it way too soon. I’m going to be praying for your daughters. And even though we lost touch with one another I can truly say you was a great momma and mentor to my daughter.
So sorry for the loss of this special lady . Prayers to family . Rest in peace my friend. Heaven gained a beautiful angle
Tammy, what a strong, admirable woman you are. I look up to you. Women like you inspire me. Thank you for being a part of my life.
I’m finding it SO sad that she will never walk through my door again and oh how I will miss her! From the first moment I met her I knew we would be fast friends and I sure did love her! Dakota and Kaleigh I love you girls and you will continuously be in my prayers.
My dear Toad!
Oh, how I still am in total shock. We met in high school, and we instantly became friends. You, the ever so powerful athlete. Me, a cheerleader. It didn’t matter. You were always a caring and loving soul. You have left behind a legacy. A genuine person, who did so much for others. None of that surprises me. Just know. You are missed this side of heaven. Until we meet again….Love you, my dear classmate!
East Rutherford High School Class of 1984
At a time like this, there are just no words. The Bible says, “There is a time to mourn.” This is certainly that time
Romans reminds us that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:39).
At times like this, we must remember that as Christians, we do not live on explanations but on promises.
We fall back on what we do know, not on what we don’t know. We do know that Tammy (or what I called her, Tambo!) put her faith in Jesus Christ and we also know that she is in Heaven now.
Revelation 21:4 reminds us that in Heaven there is no more sorrow, suffering, or death.
Please keep this family, who we love so dearly, in prayer.
Such a beautiful legacy. I know you girls have such wonderful memories of your mama. Hold each other tight & I hope you find comfort knowing how much she loved you. ❤️💕❤️
Decade of friendship with this amazing person. The world isn’t nearly as bright without her presence. She was always so uplifting and smiling that beautiful smile. She certainly was one of the finest souls I’ve ever had to privilege to call my friend. Rest easy Toad. You are still loved and will never be forgotten. Prayer of comfort and peace to Dakota and Kayleigh, whom she adored.
Tammy was a sweet soul. I meet her at North Liberty middle school she stepped in my classroom and we became great friends. she will greatly be miss rest in peace, my friend..
Sweet lady. Worked with at Western Youth. Condolences to her family.
Kayleigh and Dakota are blessed to have had a mom that loved them and taught them so much in the time that she was here. Our granddaughter will be blessed to have a grandma that is her guardian angel in heaven and I’ll take care of the grandma position here on Earth but together we’ll make a good team! Tammy, we’ll miss you so much but we see so much of you in Dakota and Kayleigh and now in little Henderson! Love you Dakota and Kayleigh! Love, Sharon
Dakota and Kayleigh I am so sorry to hear about your mother. She was one of the best! She raised two special daughters and I feel so fortunate to know you all!
-Carla Efird
Tammy was such a wonderful teacher!! even if she wasn’t full time our class would aways look forward to seeing her, she will be missed so so much!! she aways had the best and funniest story’s to tell. the last time i spoke to her was on a monday not knowing that would be the last time saying “bye love you see you tomorrow” rest in peace 🩷
Ms.Icard was our teacher/sub she was always so nice and kind and respectful. But she was not just a sub in our eyes she was a friend❤️. I was really close to Ms.Icard we talked all the time she let me watch an episode of a tv show she was on one time in reading class. She was our classes favorite sub when we got done with our work in class she would tell us stories about everything. She was one of a kind and will be missed so much by our school our class and me but she will never be forgotten.❤️ I can’t wait till we meet again.❤️