
Lillie R Williamson Memorial Book Scholarship Fund
Donation protected
To honor our mother's legacy, in lieu of flowers and gifts, we are raising money to fund The Lillie R. Williamson Book Scholarship for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Educational Advancement Foundation.
Our mother was a passionate, life long educator and the purpose of this scholarship fund is to ensure students are able to purchase textbooks necessary for higher education.
For the past several years, scholarships in the amount of $500 -$1000 have been awarded to applicants in need.
Lillie Rivers Williamson was born on February 25, 1930 in Walker Springs, 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, now the University of Memphis.
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.
Organizer
Patrice Williamson
Organizer
Memphis, TN