Mrs. W. Lazora H. Williams

On Saturday, January 9, 2021, Mrs. W. Lazora H. Williams, age 102, departed this life at Duke Regional Hospital. With deep remorse, the family acknowledges her transitioning to eternal life. Each day the sun rises and sets at dusk. God in his infinite wisdom, breathed life into Willie Lazora Holman Williams, on March 19, 1918 In Mocksville, NC. The early morning of January 9, 2021, God dispatched his angels, transitioning her from earthly home to her eternal home in heaven. The only child of her mother, Lizzie Holman, proceeded her in death during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. Lazora was the oldest child of her father, William Harper Dillard. Lazora was raised by loving grandparents, Thomas and Clementine Holman alone with her Aunts and Uncles. As a child, Lazora attended Mocksville Elementary and Middle Schools, and graduated from Price High School in Salisbury, North Carolina. For several years she helped her grandmother during the winter months, and would travel north to Cape Code, Massachusetts during the summer months where she served as a nanny for many families. It was this experience that fostered her love of children, elementary education, and led her to enrolling in Livingstone College to pursue becoming a teacher. W. Lazora H. Williams graduated from Livingstone College in 1944 receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, with a Minor in Physical Education. While at Livingstone College, she was a member of the Student Christian Association (S.C.A. 4) and a Member of the Basketball Team 1, 2, 3. She began her teaching career immediately after graduating from Livingstone College. Her specialty was elementary education, and she taught in four school systems in North Carolina. These systems were in Davie, Stanly, Pender and Montgomery Counties. She was a devoted educator, one who knew the value of an encouraging word or pat on the back of her students. Her goal was to enrich the lives of each student and instill the idea, “if I can dream it, I can achieve it.” To instill this idea, did not come easy but was overcome with love and patience. Lazora, later pursued a graduate degree at NC A & T State University. However, she was involved in a very serious automobile accident that prevented her from completing the degree program. Her desire to continue her education and teach children led her to become a certified reading teacher in 1969. During the course of her teaching career, she touched the lives of so many children in profound ways. Committed and Dedicated, she is the teacher that will always be remembered as the one who wore numerous hats while putting the students' interests before her own. She was the teacher, bus driver, custodian, Mother, Father, dietician, disciplinarian, physical education teacher, nurse, doctor, secretary, community leader, crossing guard, referee, policeman and many more. The magical part of it all is that it was all done in love and care. Lazora’s passion for teaching had not been quenched. After retirement in 1981, she taught Adult Education at Stanly Technical and Community College (STCC) for nine (9) years. This opportunity allowed her to teach adults who were seeking their General Education Diploma (GED). In addition to her teaching duties at STCC, she also worked at the Senior Citizen Center as the assistant manager and was later promoted to manager. She helped to provide meals to seniors that came into the cafeteria and they also served the sick and shut-in seniors from the seven (7) surrounding communities through Meals-On-Wheels. She worked in this capacity for 12-years and this concluded her active work life and she fully retired in 2000 at the age of 82. Starting in 1960, during the summer months she served as the Activity Director for Kingville Park and Recreation. She created an environment of continuous learning for all in attendance. Activities included: arts, crafts, basketball, baseball, tennis, badminton, horseshoes, table tennis (ping pong), swimming, diving, and more. High on the extended lists were the teachings of life lessons; how to work together with others to achieve common goals such as teaching the difference between winning, losing, competing and challenging everyone to be good citizens and give back to the community. She was active in her church and at an early age Lazora confessed her love of Christ and join St. John AME Zion Church in Mocksville, NC. After moving to Albemarle, NC she joined Union Chapel AME Zion Church, where she was an active member for 55-years. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, worked with the Young People’s Division – Buds of Promise, the Missionary Society, Children’s Choir, Senior Choir, Building Fund, Steward Board, Deaconess Board, Kitchen Committee, and Lay Organization at the local, conference and district levels. Lazora was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ivey Chapter 126. She received numerous accolades for her outstanding civic and volunteer service. One of her crowning achievements was initiating the Girl Scout Program for black girls in Stanly County. Lazora received the Governor’s Volunteer Award for her tireless community and civic activities. She was a charter member of the Stanly County Retired Teachers Association and was honored in 2006 by the organization as one of the founding members. Lazora moved to Durham, NC sixteen (16) years ago and quickly established her independence, except driving. She joined St. Joseph’s AME Church and extended her membership to the Women’s Missionary Society, participating in Sunday school and served as the Assistant Treasurer for her Sunday School Class until her health began to decline. During the week, she spent time at WD Hill Recreation Center with fellow senior citizens. She attended bible study, exercise class, took computer classes, sewing, knitting, made floral designs, jewelry and other crafts. She won several awards and prizes for her crafts. In the afternoon, she taught the after school children hand weaving. She participated in Senior Citizens group outings; attending Durham Bulls baseball games, toured Wilmington, NC where they cruised and dined on the Henrietta III Riverboat, just to list a few. She was affectionately known as “Mrs. Williams, Mrs. BK, Mother or Mama Biddie.” W. Lazora H. Williams, was married to Baxter Kelly Williams, Sr. on December 23, 1951. To this union were four (4) children. Her husband and son, BK, Jr. proceeded her in death. She is survived by her son Marlowe A. Williams of Albemarle, NC; daughter Paula W. McAdoo (Terry), and son Paul D. Williams (Almertia) both of Durham, NC; nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; a special first cousin, Ms. Cathy Deloris Jeffers, and a host of relatives and friends. A private family service of celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707; with a viewing from 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. The service of celebration will be streamed live at https://www.stjosephame.org/ In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that contributions be made to: Livingstone College Endowment Fund In Memory of Mrs. W. Lazora H. Williams, Class '44 701 West Monroe Street Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 Mrs. Williams will be laid to rest in the Historic Salisbury National Cemetery, 202 Government Road, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144.

Mrs. W. Lazora H. Williams

March 19, 1918 - January 9, 2021