Homegoing Celebration for Dr. Alma Rene Williams, Sunrise: March 29, 1947, Sunset: January 25, 2000, Tuesday, February 1, 2000, 1:00pm, Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30311, Dr. Gerald L. Durley, Pastor, Officiating

~omtgoing QCelebration for
1!\r. ~lma l\enf Rlilliams
Sunrise: March 29, 1947 Sunset: January 25, 2000 Tuesday, February 1, 2000
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2295 Benjam-in E. Mays Drive, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30311
Dr. Gerald L. Durley, Pastor Officiating

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On March 29, 1947 in Memphis Tennessee, the union of James Edward Williams and Rosie Lee Saulsberry Williams was blessed with the fifth of nine children. This daughter, Alma Rene Williams, affectionately called ~'Bean", attended Dunn Elementary School and Hamilton High School, where she graduated with honors. At the age of ten, Alma was baptized and took the Lord as her Savior at Brown Baptist Church. She remained an active member of this church until she
graduated, salutatorian, from Lemoyne-Owen College. After earning her Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
and teaching for a year each in Arka.1sas and Tennessee, Dr. Williams moved to Atlanta and joined the faculty of Clark College. Here she was a consummate historian and teacher who was loved and respected by students and colleagues, alike. ln 1987-88, she was a member of the Consolidation Committee for the Clark College and Atlanta University merger. At CAU, she served as Associate Professor of History, faculty assembly chair.~:,erson and held a host of other duties, including chairperson of the Department of History from 1989-1995.
Dr. Williams wrote a biography of Robert C. Weaver, who served as an African American advisor for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was historian for the United Negro College Fund, Inc. from 1980-1987, during which time she wrote "A History of the United Negro College Fund". Additionally~ she held the position of historian for the U.S. Army ~Jilitary Police Corps Museum during 1985 and served as a Fulbright Scholar at the American University in Cairo, Egypt in 1995. She was a participant in the NEH Sponsored Project through the Center for Documentaty Studies and Duke University on Documenting Jim Crow in the Soutl-t. Dr. Vv'illiams served as Advisor to CAU Students for the Annual ~1odel United Nations Conference at Bethune Cookman College a."td as Coordinator of the Annual Black l-listory Quiz Bowl. Other notable awards for her many accomplishments include the CAU Faculty Excellence Award, the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award by CAU Social Sciences students, the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award, NAFEO and Alumna of the Year, LeMoyPe-Owen Coilege. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa AJj:ha Sorority, the VIVS Civic and Social Club and
the Charms. Even as Dr. \Yilliams earned a host of awards, wrote numerous academic
articles, maintained a myriad of professional, university, and community affiliations, and designed and taught many history courses, she remained ever faithful to the church. In Atlanta, she joined and became an active rnemb~r of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served as Organizer and Troop Coordinator for the Providence Girl Scout Program, president of the Matrons
Circle and a member of the Deaconess Board. Dr. Williams lived a spirit-filled life of faithfulness and dignity and now
joins her deceased parents, her brother, James Edward Williams III and sister, Mary Louise Hayes. She leaves to cherish her memory four ~isters-Berrtice Parris, Gladys Williams, Shirley Johnson, all of Los Angeles, California, and Rosie M. Williams of Memphis Ter.nessee-and two brothers, Robert and Johnny of Memphis. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

DIAMOND
Did not know that when you left I'd break down and cry. Could not hold back the tears no matter how hard I tried.
Warm, sarty rivulets ran down a chocolate cheek. Knowing that you had finally gone home left me weak.
Over a short time, I had grown to respect you, Hung on every word, grasped everything you would do.
Admired your natural flair and African pride. The way you made me laugh, caused me to grab my side.
Your words of power and wisdom enlightened my day. I just regret these things you will never hear me say.
I waited too long to show you how much I care, How I appreciate you, for you were a diamond; truly rare. I'll draw my relief in knowing that you are in a better place. Walking the streets of gold, being a first hand witness to HIS grace. I know that your pain is over and you are finally at peace. You suffered long enough and now the hurt has ceased.
Just know that you will be truly missed, For you were one of the world's greatest gifts.
In me1nory of Dr. Alma Rene Williams. /love and miss you. You will always be my inspiration/ Rebecca Lane (Graduating High School Senior, June 2000).

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PRELUDE

Musicians, Providence Missionary Baptist Church

PROCESSIONAL SCRIPTURE
PRAYER SOLO

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Congregation

The Old Testament

Rev. Paul Easley, Chaplain Clark Atlanta University

The New Testament

Dr. Henry Whelchel, Chair,

Religion and Philosophy, Clark Atlanta University

Rev. Jan.'lie B. Redmon, Church Administrator, Providence Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Belinda Glover, Coordinator Living & Learning Center, Clark Atlanta University

REFLECTIONS AND TRIBUTES: (3 minutes) The Church: Deacon Julius Milton, Chair, Board of Deacons Sister Dorothy McGirt, Vice President, Matrons Club Sister Clemmie Hatchett, Former Chair, Deaconess Board

Musical Selection

The Gerald L. Durley Anointed Voices of Providence "Order My Steps In HIS Word"

REFLECTIONS AND TRIBUTES: (3 minutes) The Profession I Th~ Community: Dr. Thomas W. Cole, President, Clark Atlanta University Dr. Alexis Henderson, Chair, History Department, Clark Atlanta
University Representative, VIVS Civic and Social Club Representative, The Charms

SOLO

Dr. Belinda Oliver

EULOGY

Pastor Gerald L. Durley

MUSICAL SELECTION The Gerald L. Durley Anointed Voices of Providence

ACKNOWLEDGI\1ENT

111e Family

RECESSIONAL

~allbearert) Members, Board of Deacons, Providence Missionary Baptist Church

Members, The Matrons, Providence Missionary Baptist Church Members, VIVS Civic and Social Club
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Alma Rene Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund for Students in History at Clark Atlanta University. Please send: C/o Ms. Mabel Williams
Office of Institutional Advancement Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia 30314

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The members of the family, nuclear and extended, thank you for the many acts of loving kindness to Sister Alma during her illness and to us during our bereavement. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

Services Entrusted to

MURRAY BROTHERS CASCADE CHAPEL

1199 Utoy Springs Road, SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30331

r l 404-349-JOOO IntifrmetJ.t
Westvie,Y C~metery

1680 Westview Drive, SW

Atlanttl.,.___Georgia

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