Carolyn E Williamson

“A Life Fulfilled”

My going home to be with my Lord and Savior was peaceful. I missed my husband (Big Alvin). I went to sleep with my husband on my mind. After all we were married for over 48 years and lived a life that was blessed beyond measure. Almost thirteen years had passed since he went to be with the Lord. I truly missed our time together. A day before my departure my son Alvin Cabot held my hand, prayed over me and told me he loved me. Lord knows I loved my son! However, my son could not hear my intimate conversation with God. Alvin would not have understood that I was ready to reunite with my husband in Heaven.

Though I leave my only son Major (R) Alvin Cabot Williamson. I leave with my heart full of love and cherish the memories of the wonderful life we shared. All the wonderful years the three of us experienced together. We were able to nurture you, travel the world and provide a life that enabled you to prosper beyond our wildest dreams. Your Father and I would often thank God for the many blessings He bestowed upon us.

Just know adopting you and becoming your mother was one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me and your father. I remember seeing you for the first time, you were sitting in your father’s lap and you squeezed my thumb. It was at this moment I knew you were our son. And our lives changed forever. You made me and your Father very proud of the man you have become. From your growth in God, your beautiful family and your military accomplishments you have made my life full! 27 years, 4 combat deployments, jumping out of planes and to attain the rank of Major!

My dearest grandchildren touched my heart every time or moment I spent with them. And their accomplishments warm my heart even more. From 1LT Julian Marcus Williamson serving this great nation to Alvin Cabot Williamson Jr (AJ) earning a scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt now at the University of Houston. Esai Ade Williamson (The Wise One) as Alvin would call him, I can’t believe he is going into the 9th grade (Football and Track). No one could ever forget Princess Zendaya Renee Williamson. She is so intelligent, talented and beautiful (Track and Cheer). Lastly, the lover of the group Roman Vanye Williamson. It’s easy to see why his nickname is “Chocolate Drop” his hugs just melt your heart (Football and Track).

I remember my childhood well. I was born in Dallas, Texas, where I spent my early childhood. I was the oldest of four children, two boys and two girls Leachman, Laura and David. My mother and Father divorced when I was ten years old. My mother my sister and I then moved to live with my uncle John Cabot in Newport News, Va. My Father and Brothers remained in Texas. When my parents divorced, I received strong support from my grandmother, my mother, and my Uncles John and George. While in high school I worked as a waitress before and after school at my Uncle Johns restaurant “The Atmosphere”. For college I attended Hampton Institute (University). In 1961 I joined the prestigious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Gamma Iota Chapter. I then graduated in 1962 Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Social Work.

After graduation I moved to New York City and worked as a social worker. It was there that I met Alvin L. Williamson. We got married on February 1, 1964, and moved to Washington DC. In 1966 I graduated from Howard University Summa Cum Laude with a Master’s of Social Work degree. I employed with the City of Alexandria, Va school system as a social worker. Later I was offered the Assistant Principal position in one of the secondary schools, the famed TC Williams (Remember the Titans). I worked as a social worker for over 30 years. I eventually went back to school and received my PHD in Sociology from Gallaudet University Summa Cum Laude.

My work history included waitress, social worker, and assistant principal. I retired as a social worker from the Model Secondary School for the Deaf on Gallaudet Universities Campus. I was fluent in American Sign Language.

I received Christ in the Catholic Church and after Alvin and I married and moved to Maryland we joined Ebeneezer AME. Church. Here I started the Deaf Ministry. Soon after we moved to Dallas in 2004, we joined the Potter’s House.

After retirement, Alvin and I went all over the country looking for our forever, ever home. We decided to reside in Grand Prairie, Texas located in the Dallas Metroplex. I had always wanted to retire near my family, in a warmer climate than the Washington DC area and in a location rich with culture fine dining. I loved the “Big City” atmosphere. As a Delta Dear, I was a member of the Arlington Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc.

Alvin and I traveled extensively. We have visited a good number of states in Mainland USA as Alvin loved to drive. We were fortunate to even take my mother and grandmother to Hawaii. We kept our passports active visiting Canada, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxemburg, Caribbean Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Our most meaningful trip was actually one of our last to Mother Africa. We felt so connected to people of Kenya.

In addition to my son, grandkids, brother David (wife Elaine), I will surely miss my nephew Roderick Frazier (wife Tamecka), niece Zakia Whitaker (husband Duane), nephew Vincent, nephew Stephen and the mother of my grand babies Renee who Alvin and I called “Wonder Woman.”

I will close with this, my dears. As you get older I pray that your life will be filled with people and love. Make loving one another your priority for, as I have heard many times before, when that final day comes, you will not be concerned with how much money is in your bank account or how successful you were in business. You will only care about the people you love and the wonderful memories of times spent with them. So, please take the time to cultivate those memories and you will reap the harvest of life's sweetest fruit.

I love you,

Carolyn