Lillie R Williamson

Lillie Rivers Williamson was born on February 25, 1930 in Walker Spring, AL. She was the

youngest of Robert and Sarah Rivers’ 11 children and the only one of her siblings to complete

high school, Camden Academy in Camden, AL. She then matriculated to Tennessee State

University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a Master’s degree at the

University of Michigan. She then went on to complete forty-five plus hours toward her

doctorate at Memphis State University.

In 1954, Lillie married Webster F. Williamson. First, daughter Denise was born in 1960,

followed by Patrice in 1967. She also opened their home and cared for two of her nieces:

Dorothy Ann Daniels and Jessie Mae Wolfe.

Soon after marriage, Lillie began her career as a teacher in the Memphis City Schools, where

she was certified to teach in seven areas and taught for over 40 years. She was beloved by her

students not just as a teacher but as a coach, coaching for a variety of sports in schools from

the middle through high school levels. She was instrumental in providing sports opportunities

for girls at a time when they officially didn’t exist. After retiring in 1997, she worked as a truant

officer, continuing her passion for ensuring that local Memphis students were cared for and had

the opportunity to be educated.

Lillie’s love of teaching and service extended to St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, where

she taught Sunday School and was a very active member. She served as Women’s Day

chairperson, President of the Sick and Shut-in Visitation Ministry, and was a member of the

Renaissance Club, in addition to sitting on numerous committees: Finance, Salary, Scholarship,

and many more. And, as a trustee of the church, was faithful and loyal in her giving of tithes.

In 1950, while at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Lillie was inducted into Alpha Kappa

Alpha Sorority, Inc. and remained active for 74 years, becoming a Pearl Soror. Always striving

for greater heights of community service and sisterhood, in the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of

Memphis, she served on The AKAlade Newsletter and the Budget/Finance Committees.

However, she shined brightest on the Annual Fundraising Events to support community

programs, where from 1977-2004, she routinely placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, earning the title of

“Master Fundraiser”. She received many honors from the sorority including the Omicron

Omega Golden Soror of the year for the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter and South Eastern

Regional Conference in March of 2006.

Lillie loved to travel, which began when she and husband, Webster, toured Europe in 1955 and

56. Over the years, her state-side excursions included cross-country adventures with the

church, in addition to many faraway cruises with friends and family. At home, she loved

basketball and cheering on her beloved Memphis Grizzlies.

Lillie Rivers Williamson opened her heart, her home, and her purse to those in need, having

learned from her father who always had enough to spare and to share. Her entire life and being

was dedicated to generosity and giving, including her time, expertise, and financial

support. This, perhaps, is her greatest legacy.

She is survived by daughters, Denise D. Williamson, M.D. and Patrice M. Williamson,

grandchildren Cameron and Camilo Gonzalez-Williamson, nephew Jimmie L. Daniels, great-nephew LaMonn Daniels, great-niece DeShana Daniels, and a host of loving relatives and

friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lillie R. Williamson Memorial Book Fund Scholarship for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter.