Fay C. Williamson

Fay C. Williamson, a long-time resident of Homewood died Tuesday, August 18, 2020. She was born in McComb, MS to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin E. Causey (Alice) on February 19, 1928. She grew up in Hammond, LA, a town that was always “home” to her. There she learned her faith and enjoyed a lively family life with her siblings, Bea, Edwin and Buddy. In this home, she learned hospitality, as their family took in relatives and fed many others at their table. In Hammond, Fay met her husband, John O. Williamson, at Southeastern State College where they both received their teacher training. From Hammond the couple moved to Tuscaloosa for John to obtain his Master’s degree at the University of Alabama. Fay served as a hostess for his department events and cared for their young daughter Brenda. University of Alabama football became a family tradition.

John coached at Andalusia High School, while Fay taught Home Economics in Dozier, AL at the high school. Further moves followed as John pursued a career with Liberty National Life Insurance Company. Two sons were born: Ed in Ft. Walton, FL and Chuck in Meridian, MS. Soon, the family was back in Pensacola, FL. Another family passion became a love of the Gulf of Mexico and its beaches. In every new neighborhood, Fay made friends and opened their home to others. Their back yard was the place for children to find a game, acceptance, popsicles or warm cookies. The family was active in church attendance and Fay, in volunteering at school. In Birmingham, she served many years in the Preschool Sunday School Department at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, devoting herself to the education and care of young children. As a grandmother to three boys and three girls, she welcomed them to “MiMi” and “PaPa’s” house. She faithfully attended the girls’ performances and the boys’ games just as she had done for her children. She cared about her nieces, nephews and their children, always keeping in touch with her extended family. Fay loved choral music and joined the Senior Choir at Shades Crest Baptist Church lending her beautiful alto voice to choral worship. In her later years, her son Ed developed a routine of singing hymns and reciting scripture and prayers with her. At Shades Crest, Fay continued her passion for global missions, which first began at First Baptist Church of Birmingham. She counted several missionaries among her dearest friends from that time on. She led others to hands-on mission experiences, especially with the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home. Besides investing her life in every church she attended, she also took the Biblical teaching of ministering “as you go” seriously, making sure elderly or disabled friends had rides, store clerks were befriended and newcomers were welcomed. As she became more dependent on others, she made friends of her caregivers in her home and in the last year of her life at Lakeview Estates Assisted Living. We as a family thank them as well as the kind nurses at St. Vincent’s Hospital who cared for her in last days.

Her parents, her husband John O. Williamson, her siblings, and many other dear relatives and friends preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter, Brenda (Rob) Harris; sons: Ed Williamson and Chuck (Lisa) Williamson. Grandchildren: Jessi (Brian) Walden, Jenny (Nick) Henderson, Chad (Lori) Williamson, Eric (Claire) Williamson, Keith (Morgan) Williamson and Jane (Dustin) Smith. Great Grandchildren: Addie, Grant, Eliza, Vivian, Walker, Charlie, Asher, Grace and Parker.

Her funeral service will be guided by the family starting at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel. A social distancing visitation will begin at 12:45 p.m. until the service time at the funeral home. Mask are required. The service will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/RidoutsElmwood/. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making contributions to Shades Crest Baptist Church Missions or Building Fund or to Columbiana United Methodist Church Children’s or Youth Ministry.