Marsha A Williams

She is survived by her spouse and partner of 27 years Christine Modisher, her sisters Janice Chandler and Jean Vick, an extended loving family of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and an expansive family of loving friends.

Marsha was born in Dickson. Tennessee and attended Maplewood High School in Nashville where she played basketball and lived with the eternal regret that her team lost by 2 points in the state championship.

Marsha spent one year at UT but had to come back home after spending her book money on beer. She lived with her parents and paid her own way to a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from MTSU.

She taught in the Metro Nashville Public School system, beginning at Maplewood High School the first year of racial integration at that school. She also coached basketball and several other sports. During this time, she spent many happy evenings at her dear friend Gail’s bar The Women’s Room.

Marsha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a doctorate in Ebonics at UCLA. To earn money she got a job as a credit manager at a large produce company. She never got her degree but worked her way up to CFO of the company, deciding in the middle of the night who could pay for fresh tomatoes. After a rough start with no money, she thrived and made many lifelong friends in LA.

After 15 years in LA Marsha returned to Nashville in 1995 when her mother became ill. She was hired at BMI, eventually becoming Senior Director. This was a perfect job because she loved music and became a zealous advocate for the songwriters. She traveled extensively both with BMI and her friends.

Marsha was generous with her heart, her time and her resources. She served on the board of Renewal House as Chair of the Development Committee and was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Center for Non-Profit Management. She loved all of her animals, especially her dog Miracle.

Marsha loved to golf and had a beautiful golf swing. She played basketball in the Senior Olympics and of the three teams competing her team won a bronze medal. She loved blackjack and rarely lost. She loved to cook and to entertain and made it look easy and fun. She spent much time at The Land, working on the cabin and making sure the field was seeded and properly mowed.

Marsha had extraordinary love for her family and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. Everyone who knew Marsha understood that one of her most endearing characteristics was her unconditional and abiding love for her family.

Perhaps Marsha’s greatest talent and gift was that she found and nurtured kindness, generosity, gratitude and love in each person she knew. We are all better for having had her in our lives. Spread the love.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to Renewal House, PO Box 280356, Nashville, 37228, or to the Nashville Humane Association, 213 Oceola Avenue, Nashville, 37209.