Osceola Pearson Williams

Osceola Williams

Funeral services for Mrs. Osceola Pearson Williams, 93, of Dublin will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012 11:00 AM at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 1601 South Poplar Church Road, Dublin. Interment will follow in the Pearson Cemetery. Osceola Pearson Williams was born September 1, 1918, in Laurens County Georgia to Law and Estella Pearson. She grew up on her father's farm and attended Mary Grove School. Later she graduated from Washington Street High School where she excelled on the debate and oratory teams. Upon completing high school, Mrs. Williams assumed her first teaching job at Mary Grove School. She was known as Miss Ce, a name that stuck with her throughout her 93 years. She continued her career in education earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Fort Valley College, Fort Valley, Georgia, and a Master's Degree in Education from Tuskegee Institute (University), Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1956. She was a Master Teacher certified by Bank Street Organization for Advance Studies in Elementary Education, New York, New York. In addition, she was the first African American student to live in the dormitories at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. She taught kindergarten at Chambliss Children's House, the lab school for Tuskegee Institute where she had the distinct pleasure of being the first teacher for Lionel Richie and Tom Joyner. She completed her career at Lewis Adams School, Tuskegee, Alabama, where she taught third grade for 43 years. Retirement was not in the cards for Mrs. Williams. She was an active member and officer of the Alabama Retired Teachers Association and the American Association of University Women. Upon the death of her husband, she undertook the responsibility of managing the Pearson Farm, Dublin, to help her brother Henry (Boy) who had become ill. Her iron will determination and competency was clearly demonstrated in managing two residences and keeping up with family, community, friends and former students. She was an active member of Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, and Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Her journey with Christ began at Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she was baptized at an early age and taught Sunday School. In her senior years, she renewed her membership where she enjoyed welcoming visitors with a poem and a history lesson about the Mount Calvary community. Osceola Pearson wedded Lucius Williams, Jr. September 1, 1941. To that union three children were born: Lucenia Williams (Reginald - deceased)Dunn, Betty Williams (Harold) Jones and Lucius (Ida) Williams, III (deceased). She leaves to mourn her passing: five grandchildren, Lucius Williams, IV, Atlanta, Shonta Williams, Washington, DC, Wavie Williams, Atlanta, Juan Carlos Jones, Tuskegee, AL, and Ayanna Dunn, Bethesda, MD; two great grandchildren, Olivia Love Osceola Lejonklev Williams, Malmo, Sweden and Isaac Lucius, V Skoglund Williams, Stockholm, Sweden; one sister, Levera Pearson (Leroy - deceased) Wynn, Huntersville, NC; nieces Cheryl W. Smith (deceased), Verona L. Wynn, Huntersville, NC, Faytrice Wynn (Walter) Currie, Fayetteville, NC, and Cassandra Wynn, Huntersville, NC; two grandnephews Jonathan Smith and Ebben Wynn, Huntersville, NC; one nephew, Henry (Velma) Pearson, III, Southfield, MI; and three grandnieces, Charlunda, Alicia and Jasmin Pearson, Southfield, MI; a special daughter-in-law, Hilda Parler Harrison (Bill) Bunn; cousins Christine Coleman and Micheal Coleman; special daughters Cassandra Foster and Robinell Madry; and, a host of relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at 1630 South Poplar Springs Road in Dublin. Family hour will be at the Dudley Funeral Home on Sunday, June 24 from 4-6pm. Services By Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin www.Services By Dudley.com